Ice Age & Dino's
What is the Bering Land Bridge?
(Beringia) This Ice Age land bridge once connected Alaska to Asia, allowing animals and humans to migrate between continents.
What does “subsistence” mean in many Alaska Native cultures?
Subsistence means living off the land by harvesting wild food for survival rather than relying on store-bought goods.
What is Permafrost?
Permafrost is permanently frozen ground that stays frozen for at least two years and shapes much of Alaska’s landscape.
When did Alaska become a state?
Alaska became a state in 1959.
What do bald eagles primarily eat in Alaska?
They mainly eat fish, especially salmon.
What is pack hunting and name the animals that did this?
Hunting in groups allowed these Ice Age predators to take down animals much larger than themselves; this strategy is known as pack hunting. Dire Wolves, sometimes lions
What food is such an important resource for many Alaska Native groups along the coast?
Salmon! It is important because it provides a reliable seasonal food source that can be harvested, preserved, and stored for winter.
What is the Alaska Range?
The Alaska Range is a major mountain system in Interior Alaska that includes Denali and helps block weather between regions.
How much did the U.S. pay for Alaska?
The U.S. paid $7.2 million for Alaska
What do moose eat in Interior Alaska?
Moose are herbivores that browse on willows, shrubs, aquatic plants, and twigs.
Scientists used to assume Arctic dinosaurs avoided long winters by doing what seasonal behavior?
Migration! But many Arctic dinosaurs likely stayed year-round instead, adapting to winter darkness
How did Dene hunters traditionally adapt their movement to survive Interior Alaska’s changing seasons?
Dene hunters moved seasonally to follow migrating animals like moose and caribou and to access fishing areas in summer.
What is a braided river, give example
A braided river is a river that splits into many shifting channels due to heavy sediment, like the Tanana River.
Why was the pipeline built?
It was built to transport oil from the North Slope to Valdez.
How do plants survive short Alaska summers?
They grow rapidly during long daylight hours.
What are hadrosaurs, other name?
(or Edmontosaurus), This large, duck-billed dinosaur lived in herds and had hundreds of teeth for grinding tough vegetation.
What is the main purpose of traditional tools and clothing made by Alaska Native peoples?
Traditional tools and clothing were designed for survival, using every part of hunted animals to create practical, durable, and efficient gear.
What is a glacial moraine?
A glacial moraine is a ridge of rock and soil left behind when a glacier melts and retreats.
What are Alaska’s main industries today?
Oil, mining, fishing, tourism, and military support.
Why do Canada lynx populations fluctuate in cycles in Interior Alaska?
Because their numbers are tightly linked to snowshoe hare population booms and crashes.
What was the main apex predator in Arctic Alaska?
Nanuqsaurus, a smaller, Arctic-adapted relative of Tyrannosaurus rex that lived in Late Cretaceous Alaska and likely hunted large herbivores in a cold, highly seasonal environment with long periods of darkness.
What is the key reason hunting and gathering patterns differ between Interior Alaska peoples and coastal Alaska peoples?
They differ because Interior groups rely more on land animals like caribou and moose, while coastal groups depend heavily on marine animals like whales, seals, and walrus.
What “mountain” in the Healy area is actually NOT a mountain but often mistaken for one?
Jumbo Dome is often mistaken for a mountain, but it is actually a rounded volcanic dome formed by erosion and volcanic activity.
When was the Klondike Gold Rush in Alaska?
The Klondike Gold Rush took place from 1896 to 1899.
Why are willow shrubs ecologically important in Interior Alaska?
Willows provide critical food for moose, stabilize riverbanks, and support early spring growth for many herbivores.