Adaptations to Geographical Problem
by: Michael Hull & Shay Johnson
Adapting to Flooding: The Alequeva Dam
The Alequeva Dam is the main way Europeans adapt to flooding! It is located at the Guadiana river in the Alentejo region. It was opened in 2002 to help stop the flow of water (flooding). Not only is it located on the largest artificial lake in Europe, its also the biggest dam in Portugal as well as the biggest hydroelectic power plant! This is a major way of adapting to flooding in Europe because they have turned a problem into a solution. They took the strong currrents of the flooding water and made it into energy. They also gain a lot of money because the Alequeva Dam is a popular tourist spot in Europe. The farmers in the area use it for irrigation as well. Without the dam, they would have continued to live with the flooding of the Guidiana River.
Adapting to the Alps
Landslides
Mountains are filled with loose material such as dirt, rock, shrubs/trees, ect. During heavy rainfall/harsh storms, landslides happen. People that live in the Alps usually place their houses next to an EWS (Early Warning System) which goes off once the ground starts vibrating. People build motes/steps around their houses to slow down the force of the material. They can also plant "heavy rooted" trees around their houses too to act as a barrier against the debris flooding toward them. Alot of people live in small ski villages where houses are usually made up of strong rock or logs (as seen in the picture above), which is benficial to landslides if they were to come. Building your houses with strong, sturdy material is very good so that they force of the debris doesnt knock over your house! (video below shows example of a landslide in the Alps)
Snow & Snow Storms
Snow Storms happen quite often in the Alps. Currently there is a snowstorm named Andrea that is blowing through the Northern French Alps. People have been anticipating it for 40 years. A way to adapt to snow storms like this is to keep a fresh supply of non perishable foods all the time. A lot of residents in the Alps have pantrys full of non perishable food and rock salt. People also wear warm clothes and grow long hair and beairds to keep them warm from the cold weather. Also, after a snow storm (Andrea) the ski resorts start charging more because the skiing is better. They use the snow from the storm to make more money.
Melting Glaciers
There is one glacier in Austria that starts melting every year in Austria called the Pitztal Glacier. Once it starts melting, little streams of cold water trickle down the mountain side of the Alps. The Ski Resorts on the glaciers start to lose business during the 4 months the glacier is melting. The owners of the Pitztal Ski Resort have adapted to its melting in a weird way. They literally ordered huge white blankets and covered up the glacier to keep it cold during the summer. It seems to be working: The melting has slowed. So now ski areas in Germany and Switzerland are also wrapping at least part of their glaciers. The glaciers may not feel better, but the resort owners certainly do! If you look closely to the picture above, you can see one of the white blankets at the Pitztal Ski Resort.
Adapting to Earthquakes
Italy and Greece are earthquake hot spots in Europe. In May 2012, two major earthquakes occurred in Italy, causing 26 deaths and widespread damage. People have adapted to them by looking at the impact of earthquakes on buildings to design structures to minimize the damage. Existing structures can be modified to improve their resistance to earthquakes too! Energy-absorbing crossbracing is used to help minimize the earthquake damage and help large buildings continue work without interuption. Also people add strain-absorbing links to the building that are the first to take the strain from the earthquake. Add one of those 2 things to a building, and the whole building is saved from the strain and force of an earthquake!