Fairbanks, Alaska

[sury]

These are few samplers from Fairbanks, Alaska,

The one below is the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline (TAP). The structure you see in the foreground is a heat radiator that traps heat built up in the ground near permafrost and dissipates into atmosphere. They do that so that the permafrost does not melt and cause the pipeline structure to move. The supporting column you see is filled with anhydrous ammonium oxide which bubbles up as it heats up underground and after the heat is dissipated through the silver radiators, it turns liquid and falls to bottom and the cycle continues. The bullet like thing you see at the left is called PIG (Pipeline inspection Gauge). They shoot a PIG loaded with various sensors at various entry points to test and clean the pipes. The oil is pumped at 100oF to keep its viscosity low enough that it flows smoothly. The pipeline is resting on a square platform that is sitting on a teflon coated cross beam. The pipeline moves left to right to counter the movement caused by earth quakes.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigsu ... .jpg[/img]
DSC30623-28 by BigSury, on Flickr[/url]

Antler's Arch at the Alaska Tribal Community Center and Visitor Center.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigsu ... .jpg[/img]
DSC30639-44 by BigSury, on Flickr[/url]

Alaska-Siberia WWII Memorial. During WWII US provided planes to Russia and from Fairbanks, US pilots used to take these planes and fly them across the Bering Strait to Russia. This memorial commemorates that wartime effort. The propeller is truly "floating" as you see it from front.

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigsu ... .jpg[/img]
DSC30652-57 by BigSury, on Flickr[/url]

[aster]

Nice. : )

Looking so closely at the TAP, I like seeing the additional structural compensation consept that will ensure that the quake moves are dampened a certain degree. The fact that you were allowed to go so close to the pipelne to take these shots is suprising. I thought such pipelines were off-limits for humans, especially because of terrorist attacks.

The arched gateway with moose and reindeer antlers is a little intimidating. : ) I don't like the idea of so many beautiful creatures killed but then it also must be a symbolic display of pride for the way the Indian tribes used to live there.

Neat memories, Sury. Thanks for sharing.



Yildiz

[John David Cubit]

Nice. : )

....The arched gateway with moose and reindeer antlers is a little intimidating. : ) I don't like the idea of so many beautiful creatures killed but then it also must be a symbolic display of pride for the way the Indian tribes used to live there......

Yildiz

Hi Yildiz --- Not to worry. Moose, reindeer, deer, and elk naturally drop and regrow their antlers every year. Harvesting and selling the shed antlers provides a source of income for local residents, with no harm to the animals. These antler archways and similar structures made of shed antlers are common where the animals are abundant and symbolize a sustainable, non-harmful use of the animal resource. This is very different than what is happening to rhinos, gazelles, and other animals that are being driven to extinction just to harvest their horns. --- John
P.s. Examples of animals in the same North American habitat that do not shed their horns are bighorn sheep, mountain goats, pronghorn antelope, and bison.

[sury]

Yildiz,
Normally, the pipeline is off limits. This is at a spot called Pipeline viewing about 3 miles outside Fairbanks. This is only
place where visitors are allowed to come close to the pipeline.

John,
Thank you for that insight. My reactions were similar to how Yildiz felt but now I feel better.

With best regards,
Sury

[aster]

Hi John,

Thank you. : ) I'm more than grateful for bringing the facts behind these antlers into light. I feel much better. I wasn't aware of the types of mountain creatures with horns that actually shed antlers. Glad to know that they need not be hunted for their antlers at all.

Thanks once again. : )




Hi Sury, : )

Ah, I see. So it's kind of a 'behind the scenes' visitation area for the TAP. That might also explain why they look so shiny and well-kept. : )


Thanks for sharing,

Yildiz

[-----Nod-----]

Great pictures Sury, I use to live in Fairbanks (and other parts of Alaska) and I always enjoy seeing photos from there. I have several shots of the pipeline and it is an interesting subject. Thanks for posting.

[sury]

Thank you and you are welcome. I have posted few samples over half a dozen threads so far, if it helps go down the memory lane.
Please do post from your collection too.

With best regards,
Sury

[Birma]

Very interesting pictures Sury. I thought the TAP was just a pipe!

[Greg Beetham]

Hi Sury I finally had a moment to have a look at your Fairbanks photos properly and quite interesting they are too along with the explanations, nice work.
Greg

[sury]

Greg,
Thank you.

Sury