Fairbanks

Fairbanks is positioned inland far enough that tidal waves will dissipate their force before reaching the city. However, it lies low enough that melting poles will cover the city shortly. The river basin that Fairbanks sits upon will suffer during the shift from several sources. First, being at a relatively low altitude, the land may be inundated during the rotation stoppage due to water draining from the equator and pooling at the poles. This will only affect land close to the poles, such as Alaska. Second, during the shift itself, when the North American continent is pushed north and under any water in its path, this water will be pushed into the river basin from the ocean, at the start. High mountain ranges on all sides will afford the residents safety from the rising water, and the mild climate will encourage vegetation on the former tundra to grow. However, other than moss and lichens, there is little in the natural vegetation to eat, since the climate was harsh formerly and the native seed stock does not include variety. Survivors should have seed stock at hand, and be familiar with gardening practices.

Danger will exist for survivors from the large bears that roam Alaska, both Grizzly and Polar Bears, which will be starving and aggressive until the battle between man and beast is resolved. One will eat the other, in the end. Thus, those riding out the shift should move into the mountains south or preferably north of Fairbanks as the rising waters will then trap the larger populace of man-eating bears to the south, with only a polar bear population to deal with in the north. Polar bears deal well with snow and ice and water, and will be less inclined to attack man than strictly land-based bears as the food supply diminishes. The key point in locating safely in Alaska is to have solid granite or rock underfoot, as all else will be awash and unpredictable when the permafrost melts. Volcanic dust will sweep from West to East when the prevailing westerlies are re-established, pulling the dust out to sea rather than over the former Fairbanks.

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