Fact of the Week:The diamond shaped patterns in diamond willow are the result of a parasitic fungus. (More facts) |
Last update:April 1, 2008: New pictures added - see the New Pictures page; new picture gallery added - see the Yellowknife pictures page. |
Alaska - The Great Land.
Our word Alaska comes from the Aleut word Alyeska — “The Great Land.” As anyone who has lived in or visited Alaska knows, this is indeed The Great Land. Lush coastal rain forests, high mountain peaks, large crystal-clear lakes, and massive glaciers are just some of the breathtaking sights in this northern land.
Alaska can be just as dangerous as it is beautiful. A Grizzly surprised by a hiker, a rutting bull moose, hypothermia, earthquakes, volcanos, or avalanches are things that many Alaskans have had to face at one time or another. This tranquil, peaceful land can be a real challenge for those who try to take it on without the proper preparation and planning.
Still, many Alaskans say that despite the challenges and dangers, they'd rather not be anywhere else. They share the land with one of the world's longest rivers (The Yukon River), one of the world's highest tides (Cook Inlet), one of the world's largest mountains (Denali), and one of the world's deepest gorges (Great Gorge). Alaska also has the world's largest population of Grizzly Bears and one of the world's highest concentrations of Bald Eagles. Whether you're a Cheechako or a Sourdough, a visitor or a long-time resident, there's plenty to see and enjoy in the Great Land.
Come on in and see what we've got to offer:
Picture Galleries - Photographs of Alaskan scenery.
Reference - Definitions, maps, trivia, and other things about Alaska.
Humor - A few Alaskan-related jokes.
Links - Some links to other Alaskan or Alaskan-related sites.
VOLCANO UPDATE: (May 10 7:15PM Alaska time)
Cleveland:
Concern Level: YELLOW
Previous Level: ORANGE
2008-05-10 14:22:15 AVO Report:
AVO monitors Cleveland Volcano with satellite imagery as weather allows. The lack of a real-time seismic network at Cleveland means that
AVO is unable to track local earthquake activity related to volcanic unrest. Short-lived explosions of ash that could exceed 20,000 ft
above sea level can occur without warning and may go undetected on satellite imagery.
(Alaska & Kamchatka Peninsula volcano status / recent Alaskan earthquakes)
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