An Abandoned Town at the Edge of the Earth | Mysteries of the Abandoned | Science Channel

An Abandoned Town at the Edge of the Earth | Mysteries of the Abandoned | Science Channel
Quizzed ESL Activities

Summary

Swalbard: A Town on the Edge of the Earth

Located in the Arctic Circle, Swalbard is the world’s northernmost settlement with a population of over 1,000 people. The town is situated in a brutal landscape, with extreme temperatures and 24-hour daylight in the summer. However, the town is facing a deadly threat due to climate change.

The Abandoned Buildings

Many buildings in the town have been abandoned, despite being structurally sound. The reason for this is not due to a decline in the coal industry, which the town was built on, but due to a hidden threat. The buildings are located in areas prone to avalanches, which have become more frequent and severe due to rising temperatures.

The Cause of the Problem

The main cause of the problem is climate change, which is warming the planet at an alarming rate. The town of Swalbard is warming at a rate twice as fast as the rest of the world, with temperatures rising by 4°C since 1971. This has led to the melting of glaciers and the sea no longer freezing in winter.

The Consequences

The consequences of climate change in Swalbard are deadly. In 2015, a massive avalanche hit the town, killing two people and injuring eight. The avalanche was made possible by the unprecedented warmth in the region. The town is now facing a high risk of more avalanches, and many buildings have been evacuated and demolished.

The Future

The future of Swalbard is uncertain, with the town facing many challenges due to climate change. The rising temperatures are changing the local environment, and the people living there have to adapt to a new reality. The town is a warning to the rest of the world about the dangers of climate change and the need to take action to reduce carbon emissions.

Key Vocabulary

Term Definition Example Usage
Arctic Circle The area around the North Pole, characterized by a cold and icy climate. Swalbard is located in the Arctic Circle, where the temperatures are extremely low.
Avalanche A sudden and rapid flow of snow down a slope, often caused by natural triggers such as earthquakes or heavy snowfall. The town of Swalbard is prone to avalanches, which have become more frequent due to climate change.
Climate Change The long-term warming of the planet due to an increase in average global temperature, primarily caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels. Climate change is the main cause of the problems faced by the town of Swalbard, with rising temperatures and melting glaciers.
Glacier A large, slow-moving river of ice and snow formed on land by the accumulation and compaction of snow over time. The melting of glaciers in Swalbard is a consequence of climate change, leading to rising sea levels and more frequent avalanches.
Carbon Emissions The release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, primarily through human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and land-use changes. Reducing carbon emissions is crucial to mitigating the effects of climate change, as seen in the town of Swalbard.
Structurally Sound A building or structure that is safe and stable, with no significant damage or defects. Many buildings in Swalbard are structurally sound but have been abandoned due to the risk of avalanches.
Extreme Temperatures Very high or low temperatures that are outside the normal range for a particular region or time of year. Swalbard experiences extreme temperatures, with 24-hour daylight in the summer and very low temperatures in the winter.
Brutal Landscape A harsh and unforgiving environment, often characterized by extreme weather conditions, rugged terrain, and limited resources. Swalbard is situated in a brutal landscape, with extreme temperatures and limited access to resources.
Uncertain Future A situation or outcome that is unclear or unpredictable, often due to factors such as climate change, economic instability, or social unrest. The future of Swalbard is uncertain, with the town facing many challenges due to climate change and its effects on the local environment.
Adaptation The process of adjusting to a new or changing environment, often in response to climate change, economic shifts, or social transformations. The people living in Swalbard have to adapt to a new reality, with rising temperatures and more frequent avalanches, in order to survive.

Watch The Video

An Abandoned Town at the Edge of the Earth | Mysteries of the Abandoned | Science Channel

Vocabulary Quiz

1. Which word means ‘a natural disaster where a large amount of snow slides down a slope’?

A) Glacier
B) Avalanche
C) Temperature
D) Emission

2. What is the term for the process of the Earth’s temperature rising due to human activities?

A) Global cooling
B) Climate change
C) Avalanche warning
D) Environmental protection

3. Which phrase means ‘a place or area that is likely to be affected by a particular event or situation’?

A) Brutal landscape
B) Prone to avalanches
C) Rising temperatures
D) Abandoned buildings

4. What does the term ‘structurally sound’ mean in the context of buildings?

A) The building is old and needs to be demolished
B) The building is abandoned and empty
C) The building is safe and in good condition
D) The building is prone to avalanches

5. What is the term for ‘the release of carbon into the atmosphere, often as a result of human activities’?

A) Climate change
B) Global warming
C) Carbon emission
D) Environmental disaster

Answer Key:

1. B
2. B
3. B
4. C
5. C

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: The Use of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense

The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment. It is often used to show the cause of a current situation or to describe an action that has a connection to the present. For example, in the text, “The town of Swalbard is warming at a rate twice as fast as the rest of the world” can be rephrased using the present perfect continuous tense as “The town of Swalbard has been warming at a rate twice as fast as the rest of the world.” This tense is useful for describing the ongoing effects of climate change, such as “The glaciers have been melting at an alarming rate since 1971” or “The town has been facing a high risk of avalanches due to rising temperatures.”

Grammar Quiz:

Choose the correct answer for each question:

  1. By the time the avalanche hit the town in 2015, the temperature ____________________ by 4°C since 1971.
  2. The town of Swalbard ____________________ at a rate twice as fast as the rest of the world for decades.
  3. Many buildings in the town ____________________ due to the hidden threat of avalanches.
  4. The people living in Swalbard ____________________ to a new reality due to climate change.
  5. The town of Swalbard ____________________ a warning to the rest of the world about the dangers of climate change.

Answer Key:

  1. B) had risen
  2. C) has been warming
  3. A) have been abandoned
  4. C) have been adapting
  5. A) has been giving