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1 - The Setting, History of Studies, and the Climatic Role of the Cryosphere

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 July 2018

Roger G. Barry  and
Eileen A. Hall-McKim
Roger G. Barry
Affiliation:
University of Colorado Boulder
Eileen A. Hall-McKim
Affiliation:
University of Colorado Boulder
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Summary

The geographical setting, history of scientific studies, and the climatic role of the cryosphere are discussed. Definitions of the Arctic, Antarctic and the Central Asian Third Pole are given Their similarities of climate and ice cover and contrasts (ice-covered ocean and massive ice sheet, and latitude/altitude) are noted. Scientific study of the Arctic began with the First International Polar Year, 1882-3 and the Fram expedition of F. Nansen. The contributions of Norwegian, Russian, Canadian and U.S. scientific programs in the Arctic Ocean and across fthe tundra are discussed. Antarctic research dates from R. Byrd's work in the 1920's -30s, but was mainly post World War II. The International Geophysical Year, 1957-8 was a major milestone with the establishment of permanent bases. Research in Central Asia and Tibet began in the 1950's from the USSR and China, respectively, focused on glaciers. The role of polar snow, land ice and sea ice in the climate system and important feedbacks are described.
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Polar Environments and Global Change , pp. 1 - 20
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2018

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