Things That Stump You

[Dwight Schrute]

I don't understand how two rivers in Alaska flow South, as most rivers do. But then their flow changes and both rivers flow North, The rivers are the Nenana and the Delta rivers.

Independent of other factors, due to gravity, water flows downhill. If you look at a map, you can discern the topography of a place by looking at the waterways and how they flow.

You can determine the direction of flown by looking at where a river or stream meets another waterway.

[Lighthouse]

Independent of other factors, due to gravity, water flows downhill. If you look at a map, you can discern the topography of a place by looking at the waterways and how they flow.

You can determine the direction of flown by looking at where a river or stream meets another waterway.

True, but the rivers in Alaska have a point where the flow changes.

[teamchemistry15]

True, but the rivers in Alaska have a point where the flow changes.

I've never heard of this. Has it ever been explained?

[Catsrock]

Yeah, but to me as soon as you toss it in the air it should start slowing down and go towards the back. In the time it takes to go up and down the only thing acting on it is gravity.

Maybe it will help to think that all the air inside that vehicle is also traveling at 65 mph. That's the frame of reference in which that tossed ball is travelling. However if you stick your hand out the window and toss the ball up you leave it behind real quick because it's then in the frame of reference of the air outside the vehicle.

A strange way to think of it is that inside the vehicle with windows closed--in that frame of reference the car could be sitting still and the wind is blowing 65mph outside. The ball is not hit by the wind.

[teamchemistry15]

Maybe it will help to think that all the air inside that vehicle is also traveling at 65 mph. That's the frame of reference in which that tossed ball is travelling. However if you stick your hand out the window and toss the ball up you leave it behind real quick because it's then in the frame of reference of the air outside the vehicle.

A strange way to think of it is that inside the vehicle with windows closed--in that frame of reference the car could be sitting still and the wind is blowing 65mph outside. The ball is not hit by the wind.

Yeah. I get that it just seems like as soon as I throw it the ball should start slowing down and the car continues it's speed.

[surveyor]

True, but the rivers in Alaska have a point where the flow changes.

Can you clarify what you mean by "the flow changes"? Direction? Runs backwards?

[Dwight Schrute]

I was going to ask the same thing. If it’s just changed in directions that’s simply a factor of topography.

[Lighthouse]

The flow changes direction. We saw one spot from the train and the land looked flat to me. I've not heard it explained but intend to look these rivers up on the internet. .

[Dwight Schrute]

The flow changes direction. We saw one spot from the train and the land looked flat to me. I've not heard it explained but intend to look these rivers up on the internet. .

Keep in mind that even a very slight grade of just a few feet over a mile is enough for most waterways. Think of the Mississippi River. If you stood next to it, the ground seems very flat, but the elevation change from Minnesota to the gulf of mexico is very stark.

[Lighthouse]

This is the short version of what I could find out about why these rivers flow South and North.

Alaska’s landscape has an unusual feature that allows us to enjoy cheap bananas in the Interior and other things that make life possible in the subarctic. The Nenana River, born on the south side of the Alaska Range, makes a u-turn and flows north through the mountains. With it comes a wide, low corridor that has favored construction of both the Alaska Railroad and the Parks Highway.

“Ordinarily, a mountain range is a pretty good barrier,” said Don Triplehorn, a man curious about many things and a professor emeritus at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He described the curious behavior of the Nenana.

“It flows out to the south, downhill as any decent river should, but then it turns west and then north, past McKinley,” Triplehorn said “That’s really unusual.”

And the Nenana River isn’t the only major waterway cutting through the Alaska Range. The Delta River does the same thing, originating south of the Alaska Range but then flowing north through the mountains.

[surveyor]

This is the short version of what I could find out about why these rivers flow South and North.

Alaska’s landscape has an unusual feature that allows us to enjoy cheap bananas in the Interior and other things that make life possible in the subarctic. The Nenana River, born on the south side of the Alaska Range, makes a u-turn and flows north through the mountains. With it comes a wide, low corridor that has favored construction of both the Alaska Railroad and the Parks Highway.

“Ordinarily, a mountain range is a pretty good barrier,” said Don Triplehorn, a man curious about many things and a professor emeritus at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He described the curious behavior of the Nenana.

“It flows out to the south, downhill as any decent river should, but then it turns west and then north, past McKinley,” Triplehorn said “That’s really unusual.”

And the Nenana River isn’t the only major waterway cutting through the Alaska Range. The Delta River does the same thing, originating south of the Alaska Range but then flowing north through the mountains.

So the river still actually maintains constant down hill flow throughout.

The elevation on the upstream side of the river on one side of the mountains is higher than the downstream side on the other side of the mountains.

Similarly interesting is the grand canyon - Colorado plateau is higher than the surrounding terrain but the river maintains constant downstream flow through it, due to the upheaval of the plateau over millions of years.

[teamchemistry15]

Why does fridge have a d in it but refrigerator doesn't?

[teamchemistry15]

Random fact I learned: There's more syllables in "www" than "world wide web" making the abbreviation actually longer than what it's abbreviating.

[Uncle Dave]

Which came first....the chicken or the egg?.....or the rooster??

[teamchemistry15]

Which came first....the chicken or the egg?.....or the rooster??

I've always thought the egg won't be there without something to protect. But, maybe it forms first to protect the egg before it forms?!?!?