Antarctic meteorology and climatology: an unfolding story of discovery

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 316-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malcolm Walker
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Telecommunication Networks ◽  
World War ◽  
International Polar Year ◽  
International Geophysical Year ◽  
International Polar ◽  
Antarctic Continent ◽  
Meteorological Observations ◽  
Strong Winds ◽  
The Antarctic

Early explorers and sealers took home from the Southern Ocean tales of tempests, huge waves and massive icebergs. Many recorded in their logbooks and narratives observations of wind, weather and sea state. Meteorological measurements were made on some early voyages but were often of doubtful quality. Not until the 1840s were reliable meteorological observations made near the Antarctic continent. During the First International Polar Year, observations were made near Cape Horn and on South Georgia. From 1899 onwards, bases were established on the Antarctic continent and meteorological observing programmes organized. Extremely strong winds were discovered. Data sets of climatological value became available and data from aloft were obtained. After the First World War, wireless telegraphy was used increasingly to broadcast observations from ships and shore bases to distant analysis centres. During the Second International Polar Year, thousands of meteorological observations were made aboard ships on the Southern Ocean. After the Second World War, the pace of progress quickened, especially during the International Geophysical Year. Research stations and the International Antarctic Analysis Centre were established. Weather satellites, automatic weather stations, global telecommunication networks and powerful computers revolutionized Antarctic meteorology and climatology.

Antarctic winter scientific stations to the International Polar Year, 2007–2009

Polar Record ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. Headland
Keyword(s):  
International Polar Year ◽  
International Geophysical Year ◽  
International Polar ◽  
Antarctic Continent ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
Scientific Station ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
International Geophysical

ABSTRACTThe earliest winter scientific station established in the Antarctic was in 1883 as part of the first International Polar Year (IPY) programme. Subsequently, to the IPY of 2007–2009, scientific stations have been deployed on 139 sites (103 on the Antarctic continent, 36 on the peri-Antarctic islands), by 24 countries for a cumulative total of 2666 winters to that of 2008. This paper summarises the winter dates, locations, and national status of all stations in the region. It thus includes all winter stations of the three IPYs and those of the International Geophysical Year (1957–1958). The positions of 120 of these winter stations are south of 60°S, the boundary of the Antarctic Treaty of 1959 (although many of them predate the Treaty).

Some reflections on the Antarctic Treaty

Polar Record ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.W.G. Baker
Keyword(s):  
50Th Anniversary ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
International Polar Year ◽  
International Geophysical Year ◽  
International Polar ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
Major Increase ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
International Geophysical ◽  
Made In

2009 brings not only the 50th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty but also the end of the International Geophysical Year (IGY) and of its extension into the period of International Geophysical Cooperation (IGC 1959). It is also the 133rd anniversary of K. Weyprecht's suggestion that initiated the impetus. As he noted, ‘if Polar Expeditions are looked upon merely as a sort of international steeple-chase . . . and their main object is to exceed by a few miles the latitude reached by a predecessor these mysteries (of Meteorology and Geomagnetism) will remain unsolved’ (Weyprecht 1875). Although he stressed the importance of observations in both the Arctic and Antarctic during the first International Polar Year (IPY) in 1882–1883 only two stations in the sub-Antarctic region, at Cap Horn and South Georgia, made such scientific recordings. In spite of the fact that several expeditions to the Antarctic had been made in the period between the first and the second IPY 1932–1933, no stations were created in Antarctica during that IPY. The major increase in scientific studies in Antarctica came with the third IPY, which became the IGY of 1957–1958.

The International Geophysical Year

1957 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harold Spencer Jones
Keyword(s):  
Arctic Region ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
International Polar Year ◽  
International Geophysical Year ◽  
Primary Object ◽  
International Polar ◽  
Meteorological Observations ◽  
One Year ◽  
The Arctic Region

In 1874, the Austrian arctic scientist, Weyprecht, on his return from an Austro-Hungarian polar expedition stated that, though many countries had sent expeditions into the polar regions at great expense and involving appreciable hazards to those participating, no important contributions to knowledge had resulted from them. They had done a certain amount of mapping and obtained a few meteorological observations but the primary object had been, as a matter of national prestige, to plant the flag nearer to the Pole than had been reached before. In his opinion what was needed for the advancement of knowledge about the polar regions was that nations should collaborate in sending expeditions to various parts of the arctic region to make observations throughout the whole of one year. Largely because of his persistent advocacy of this view, the value of the proposal came to be recognized, and as a result the enterprise known as the First International Polar Year was developed. A number of countries combined to send expeditions to establish observing stations at selected points in the arctic region to make observations throughout the year 1882–3 in meteorology and geomagnetism and also of the aurora. The observations made during this Polar Year contributed appreciably to knowledge of geomagnetism and of meteorology.

scholarly journals MONITORING OF THE WATER-ICE ECOSYSTEM IN THE ANTARCTIC COASTAL AREA ON MATERIALS OF THE RAE-64

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 223-224
Author(s):  
I.A. Melnikov
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Sea Ice ◽  
Coastal Area ◽  
International Polar Year ◽  
Water Ice ◽  
Antarctic Expedition ◽  
Russian Antarctic Expedition ◽  
International Polar ◽  
The Antarctic

During the seasonal work of the Russian Antarctic expedition (RAE-64) in the Nella fjord at the continental station “Progress” (Prydz Bay, Eastern Antarctica), the monitoring of the water-ice ecological system has been carried out here annually since the International polar year (2007). The purpose of monitoring is to show the role of sea ice biota in the global biosphere processes of the Southern ocean.

scholarly journals Education and outreach by the Antarctic Treaty Parties, Observers and Experts under the framework of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings

Polar Record ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
José C. Xavier ◽  
Dragomir Mateev ◽  
Linda Capper ◽  
Annick Wilmotte ◽  
David W. H. Walton
Keyword(s):  
International Union ◽  
International Polar Year ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Educational Value ◽  
International Polar ◽  
Antarctic Research ◽  
Antarctic Treaty ◽  
Education And Outreach ◽  
The Antarctic

AbstractThe development of formal discourse about education and outreach within the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM), and the influence of major international activities in this field, are described. This study reflects on the ATCM Parties’ approach to implementing the ambition of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty Article 6.1.a, to promote the educational value of Antarctica and its environment, and examines the role of workshops and expert groups within the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes. These early initiatives, which emerged in the 1990s, were a prelude to the development and implementation of a large number of International Polar Year (IPY) education and outreach programmes. The establishment of an Antarctic Treaty System Intersessional Contact Group, and an online forum on education and outreach during the 2015 ATCM in Bulgaria, is a legacy of IPY and is the next step in fostering collaboration to engage people around the world in the importance and relevance of Antarctica to our daily lives.

Introduction

1967 ◽  
Vol 252 (777) ◽  
pp. 169-171 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Oceanic Islands ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Large Measure ◽  
Sea Floor ◽  
Nature Conservancy ◽  
Antarctic Ecosystem ◽  
History Of ◽  
Antarctic Continent ◽  
The Antarctic

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen: it is my pleasure, in opening this two-day conference on the terrestrial Antarctic ecosystem, to welcome you as contributors of papers and, as I shall hope, participants in the discussions with which we will conclude each of the four sessions of our meeting. This symposium was first suggested and has, in very large measure, been organized by Dr Martin Holdgate whom we regretfully, but nevertheless most warmly congratulate on his recent translation from the post of Senior Biologist of the British Antarctic Survey to that of Deputy Director of the Nature Conservancy. The furtherance of Antarctic biology in recent years owes much to Dr Holdgate’s energetic and imaginative direction, and I am glad to have this opportunity of acknowledging our indebtedness to him for arranging this discussion. The Antarctic continent, half as large again as Australia, and the surrounding Southern Ocean, in area about one-fifth of the world’s sea surface were, by their very remoteness from the maritime nations of the northern hemisphere, late of exploration. But, while it is little more than 75 years since man first set foot on the Antarctic continent, the more accessible waters of the Southern Ocean have an appreciably longer history of exploration, dating from the pioneering voyages of Captain Cook some 200 years ago. Biological investigations in Antarctica were, therefore, for long concerned almost entirely with observations and studies of animals living in the open ocean or on the sea floor rather than with the terrestrial and freshwater floras and faunas of the continental margin and oceanic islands which, either because of difficulties of access or limitations of time imposed by ships’ programmes, were rarely surveyed in detail.

Arctic shipping guidelines: towards a legal regime for navigation safety and environmental protection?

Polar Record ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Øystein Jensen
Keyword(s):  
The Arctic ◽  
Legal Issue ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
International Polar Year ◽  
Safety Standards ◽  
International Polar ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Arctic Ice ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Near Future

ABSTRACTWith the International Polar Year (IPY) having commenced in March 2007, key issues relating to the polar regions are again in focus. This article reviews one central legal issue re-emerging in the Arctic: global regulation of safety standards for international shipping. The ‘Guidelines for ships operating in Arctic ice-covered waters’ are examined, with a view to the probable expansion of shipping in the Arctic in near future. Following an introduction to navigational issues within the Arctic context, the article describes how the guidelines came into being, and then analyses key elements and structure of the regulations and shortfalls of today's arrangements. The possible relevance of the guidelines to the Antarctic is also discussed briefly. Finally, the article inquires into the key repercussions of introducing binding regulations.

Mt. Vinson and the evolution of US policy on Antarctic mountaineering, 1960–1966

Polar Record ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-283
Author(s):  
John Evans ◽  
Philip M. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Austral Summer ◽  
Scientific Programme ◽  
Full Extent ◽  
International Geophysical Year ◽  
The Us ◽  
Antarctic Continent ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
International Geophysical ◽  
The U.S

ABSTRACTThe full extent of the height and scale of the Sentinel Range, Antarctica, was not known until reconnaissance flights and scientific traverses in the International Geophysical Year (IGY), 1957–1958. These explorations revealed the range to be twenty miles in length, with a large number of high peaks culminating in Mt. Vinson, the highest on the Antarctic continent at nearly 4900 meters. The discoveries captured the interest of the U.S. and world mountaineering communities setting off a competition to achieve the first climb of Vinson. The challenge was tempered only by the range's remoteness from the coast of Antarctica and the formidable logistics of mounting a mountaineering expedition. The US which had the most advanced ski-equipped cargo aircraft, had an established post-IGY policy that prohibited adventure expeditions that could divert logistic resources from the scientific programme. This paper discusses Mt. Vinson competition within the US and international climbing communities, mounting national pressures to achieve the first climb, and a reversal in policy by the US Antarctic Policy Group that resulted in the 1966–1967 American Antarctic Mountaineering Expedition's first ascents of Vinson and five other high peaks. Today, between 100 and 200 persons climb Mt. Vinson each austral summer.

International collaboration in Antarctica: the International Polar Years, the International Geophysical Year, and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research

Polar Record ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 321-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin P. Summerhayes
Keyword(s):  
International Collaboration ◽  
Scientific Collaboration ◽  
Scientific Committee ◽  
International Scientific Collaboration ◽  
International Geophysical Year ◽  
Working Together ◽  
International Polar ◽  
Antarctic Research ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
International Geophysical

ABSTRACTAs the fourth International Polar Year (IPY) 2007–2008, gets into full swing it is timely to reflect on the history of development of international scientific collaboration in the IPYs since the first one in 1882–1883, including the third, which evolved into the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957–1958. The success of international scientific collaboration in the IGY led the International Council for Science (ICSU), the body that managed the IGY, to create the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) to carry forward the collaboration in Antarctic science that had begun during the IGY. This year, 2008, seems an appropriate time to undertake such an historical review, given that we are not only midway through the fourth IPY, but also that it is SCAR's 50th anniversary; the first SCAR meeting having been held in The Hague on 3–5 February 1958. Since SCAR's membership began with 12 member countries and 4 ICSU unions, membership has grown to 34 countries and 8 ICSU unions, with more expected to join at the 30th meeting of SCAR in Moscow in July 2008. Both SCAR's activities and those of the fourth IPY benefit from international collaboration not only between scientists, but also between the national Antarctic operations managers, working together through the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP), and national policy makers working together through the Antarctic Treaty mechanisms. Thanks to all their efforts, the IPY of 2007–2009 will leave behind a legacy of enhanced observing systems for documenting the status and change of all aspects of the Antarctic environment as the basis for improved forecasting of its future condition. SCAR expects to play a major role in the design of those systems and their use to improve scientific understanding of the place of the Antarctic in the global environmental system, and the pace and direction of change within that system.

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