Question

How did the Great Northern Railway affect the region’s environment? Check all that apply.

Sparks from train engines increased the number of forest fires.
Fumes from locomotive cars made the surrounding soil infertile.
Boring a tunnel into the mountains caused a massive rockslide.
Workers cleared forests in the area and left a barren landscape.
Empty slopes resulted in an increase in avalanches in the wintertime.
Mining for coal in the Cascades to run the railroad hurt the landscape.

Answer 1

The Great Northern Railway's impact on the region's environment can include the following:

1. **Sparks from train engines increased the number of forest fires.**
2. **Workers cleared forests in the area and left a barren landscape.**
3. **Mining for coal in the Cascades to run the railroad hurt the landscape.**

The other options, such as fumes making soil infertile, causing rockslides from tunnel boring, and empty slopes leading to more avalanches, are less directly associated with the Great Northern Railway's operations. While some environmental impacts can be linked to railway activities, the first, second, and last options mentioned are more definitive effects attributable to the construction and operation of railroads in the region.