The World as an Island

• How does what you read demonstrate the impact of geography and geology on society?

• Compare resources/climate/geography of Easter Island, Pitcairn, Henderson, and Iceland when initially colonized. Which was most blessed?

• Compare fate of societies on Easter Island, Pitcairn, Henderson, and Iceland. Which was most screwed? Why?

The World as an Island

• Why did the Icelanders fair better?

• How does what you read demonstrate the impact of geography (climate and geology) on resource availability and fragility/resilience?

• What were the problems for each island?

• How does what you read demonstrate the impact of geography and geology on society?

• Do these histories have any relevance to us today?

Human Carrying Capacity of the Earth

• What is carrying capacity?

• What is the difference between biophysical and social carrying capacity?

• “In order to estimate a sustainable human population, a standard of living or level of consumption must be selected”

Fringing reef - Samoa Island

No reef – steep sided Pitcairn Island

High and Wet - Hawaii

Uplifted Limestone Island - Mona

Your only source of freshwater… at the bottom of a cave

Terrain Fragmentation - Maui

Easter Island

Easter Island

Iceland

Iceland

Iceland

Iceland

Iceland – Mid Atlantic Ridge

west ridge & valley - Thingvellir

Pingvellir

Iceland – columnar basalt

Iceland – pillow basalt

Iceland – pillow basalt