Throughout our cruise, we will literally be traveling around the top of the Earth. Take a look at the map of our expedition – imagine you are looking down on a globe at the ocean just north of Europe and Asia.
What might that environment look, feel, smell, and sound like? What are we trying to learn by being here, observing, making measurements, taking samples? How does the Arctic affect global climate? How does the global climate affect the Arctic? Who are the scientists that get to go on such an amazing adventure?
Come along with us on our Arctic adventure, as we try to learn more about this amazing environment – how we affect it, and how it affects us.
TRY THIS INTERACTIVE MAP!
For now, even though we’re not there yet, have a look at the map and photos below. Each photo’s caption gives its latitude and longitude. Find the corresponding locations on the map below, and click to see videos of what those places look and sound like. (I’ll tell you later about these places using all the senses – the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feel.)
Post your question or comment below, and I will reply!
At 80 degrees north latitude and 20 degrees east longitude is Svalbard, an archipelago 60% of which is covered with glaciers. It’s home to polar bears, reindeer, and lots of seabirds. Depending on our route we may not get close too this area, but maybe we will see some of these animals?At roughly 82 degrees north latitude and 60 degrees east longitude, we will come near a group of islands that is only accessible over a few weeks in the summer by ship. If you want to visit the islands, you’ll need a special permit from Russia.At 82 degrees north latitude and 130 degrees east longitude, it will be wide open ocean. With normally below freezing temperatures, it is frozen over most of the year, and is partially clear in August and September. Sadly, there is less and less ice each year, so we definitely want to understand this place.Check out this satellite image of 80 degrees north latitude and 160 degrees east longitude. Here we’ll almost be to the other side of Asia. The East Siberian Sea is home to severe climate conditions, low water salinity, massive ice fields throughout most of the year, and is one of the least researched areas of the Arctic Ocean. Good thing we’re going there.
Hi Lindsay,
My cousin Jacob Stroh is on the expedition and I’m sharing your blog with my 6th-8th grade science students in Southern New Jersey. Couple questions…..Besides the warmth in the northern hemisphere, was there any other reasons you chose this time of year to arrange this trip? What is a typical day like for those on this expedition?
Do you have protective weapons on board to take when getting off the ships (polar bears?)
Blessings,
Debbie Waller
Hi Debbie, I’m so glad you and your class are following along with us! To answer your questions, yes, the temperature is definitely more hospitable in the polar summer (even though it’s still very cold), but it’s also easier for the ship to travel through less icy water. As for a typical day, so far I’ve been given a big spreadsheet of dates, operation codes, along with the latitude and longitude where it will occur, and a schedule of 4-hour watch periods for various people. Some of the operations are water sampling, meteorology, dropping buoys, and glider recoveries. (I’ll learn more about these things later and let you know as we go.) As for safety, in our preparation booklet that we have received, there are safety guidelines like wear steel-toed boots and no jewelry around the heavy equipment onboard, but I have not heard about protective weapons for animals. I’ll be sure to let you know about that too. (I do hope to see a polar bear though!)
Good Luck, Lindsay!!
Thank you! Looking forward to having you and your students join in on the adventure!
Hi Lindsay,
My cousin Jacob Stroh is on the expedition and I’m sharing your blog with my 6th-8th grade science students in Southern New Jersey. Couple questions…..Besides the warmth in the northern hemisphere, was there any other reasons you chose this time of year to arrange this trip? What is a typical day like for those on this expedition?
Do you have protective weapons on board to take when getting off the ships (polar bears?)
Blessings,
Debbie Waller
Hi Debbie, I’m so glad you and your class are following along with us! To answer your questions, yes, the temperature is definitely more hospitable in the polar summer (even though it’s still very cold), but it’s also easier for the ship to travel through less icy water. As for a typical day, so far I’ve been given a big spreadsheet of dates, operation codes, along with the latitude and longitude where it will occur, and a schedule of 4-hour watch periods for various people. Some of the operations are water sampling, meteorology, dropping buoys, and glider recoveries. (I’ll learn more about these things later and let you know as we go.) As for safety, in our preparation booklet that we have received, there are safety guidelines like wear steel-toed boots and no jewelry around the heavy equipment onboard, but I have not heard about protective weapons for animals. I’ll be sure to let you know about that too. (I do hope to see a polar bear though!)