Geographical Aspects of the First International Polar Year, 1882–1883

Datos Bibliográficos

ID8375210
AutoresWerner Barr (0000-0003-0064-0211, University of Saskatchewan, autor de correspondencia), William Barr (0000-0001-7711-7758)
Año1983
Volumen73
Número4
Páginas463-484
Fecha de publicación1983-12-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAnnals of the Association of American Geographers (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0004-5608 • E-ISSN: 1467-8306
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1467-8306.1983.tb01853.x
OpenAlexW2152925921
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas5
Referencias citadas18

1983 marks the centennial of a milestone event in the history of scientific research in the polar regions, the First International Polar Year. A total of 14 stations was established in the polar regions by 12 different nations, along with a number of subsidiary stations. Focusing primarily on meteorology, geomagnetism, and auroral studies, scientists at these stations carried out a standardized, synchronized program of observations for a full calendar year. In terms of the geographical spinoff from the project, several of the expedition, made notable contributions in the area of exploration and mapping, particularly the American expedition to Ellesmere Island and the French expedition to Cabo de Hornos (Cape Horn). The meteorological program naturally produced a wealth of raw data, which are now of great value as a basis for comparisons. Although geomorphology was not part of the official program, several of the scientists made very useful observations, particularly in the area of periglacial forms and processes. Concrning the marine environment the Dutch expedition, whose ship was adrift in the ice of the Kara Sea for the entire year, contributed very valuable. observations on the nature and behavior of the sea ice. Its oceanographic contribution was also extremely significant, as was that of the French expedition to Cabo de Hornos. Scientists from several of the expeditions also made extensive and valuable pioneer observations of the indigenous peoples in their respective areas. Worthy of particular mention here are studies of the Eskimo of the North Slope by the American expedition to Point Barrow, of the Inuit of Cumberland Sound by a scientist with the German expedition to Baffin Island, and of the Yahgan Indians of Tierra del Fuego by the French expedition to Cabo de Hornos. Key Words: international scientific co-operationpolar region

Archaeology · Centennial · Climatology · Geography · Indigenous · Meteorology · Milestone · Physical geography · Geology · History · History of Science and Natural History · Indigenous Studies and Ecology · Oceanography · Polar Research and Ecology