Kivalina, Alaska town facing tundra erosion
Kivalina is a city in Alaska's Northwest Arctic Borough, situated on a narrow strip of land between the Chukchi Sea and the Kivalina River. The village includes two churches, a community hall, a clinic, a school, and government offices that serve the local residents.
Kivalina was originally a stopover point for travelers moving along the Arctic coast and became an official city in 1969. The 1970s brought significant development with new housing, a school, and electricity systems that improved living conditions for residents.
Kivalina is an Iñupiat village where hunting and fishing shape the rhythm of daily life. Residents rely on the sea and rivers for sustenance, keeping traditions alive through whaling, seal hunting, and gathering that have been passed down through generations.
Kivalina is reached primarily by daily flights from Kotzebue or by boat during ice-free months from June to November, as there are no road connections to other towns. Visitors should plan travel in advance and check weather conditions, since transportation depends on seasonal conditions and flight availability.
The village faces serious coastal erosion and is planned to relocate about 7.5 kilometers to a new site, a major project underway since the 1990s. This move represents one of the first climate-driven village relocations in the United States.
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