We were just yesterday at 80°N latitude and 155°E longitude, with ocean temperature at -1°C (30°F) and air temperature at -2°C (and this is summer). That’s not accounting for wind either, which makes it feel lots colder. People might use describe the Arctic with words like ocean, cold, ice, polar bears, north, “above the Arctic Circle,” or “at the top.” But it is generally defined as a place with average annual temperatures below 0°C (32°F). To give an example in both the east and west hemisphere, that means that Hudson Bay, Canada and Oymyakon, Siberia are both “arctic.” That also means “arctic” refers to places most likely to have something called permafrost. Drew Slater, a scientist onboard from the National Snow and Ice Data Center, and instructor for the Summer School, gave a presentation about permafrost, so let me pass on a few really “cool” things. First of all, permafrost does not have to contain ice (although it usually does). It can be anything (soil, rock, ice) that stays at a temperature below 0°C for at least 2 years straight. In Alaska, permafrost goes to about 600meters deep in some places, and in regions of Siberia, can reach 1.5km (almost a mile) deep. From permafrost “cores,” scientists have observed that temperatures 20meters deep have increased by 1°C or more, depending on the location, in the last 40 years. That one little degree is really a big deal. It means that the Earth is storing more heat, and we can already see the results of permafrost areas warming in some areas – buildings and roads with structural damage, changes in the vegetation, and “disappearing” lakes.
But there is also something called the “High Arctic,” and that is more specifically where our ship is right now. As you may imagine, this has a somewhat different (and colder) definition. The High Arctic is anywhere with July temperatures below 10°C (translation: really cold, even in summer). So, Miami friends, think about the wake you see in when a boat is going through the water. This was the wake here recently (see the picture above). It looks like water, but it’s actually wafer thin ice being pulverized by the ship, while water underneath is spilling over it, creating a kind of “finger-wake.” (We may have just coined a term?) You can also see a light greenish billowing effect near the ship’s edge. Any guesses as to what that is?
hi i am student from ms.gilbrut class what is the best part of arctic and what is different from miami
Hi Kenya, the best part of being in the Arctic is seeing a part of the Earth that I never thought I would get to see. It looks like another planet when the ocean is covered with ice. It’s spectacularly beautiful. And the fact that I get to share the climate science onboard with everyone on the blog, makes it even better! The difference from Miami is definitely the weather – Arctic cold is quite the opposite of Miami heat.
About how often are you able to see some animals?
Dear Ariel, we have seen polar bears on probably 4 different days, a walrus on one day, and seals on a couple days. However, that doesn’t mean that everyone has seen all those animals on all of those days. Because you have to be lucky enough to be outside and looking in the right direction at the right time. I am so glad that I was lucky enough on two different days to see polar bears! They were so beautiful and adorable!
When you got to the artic, was it weird to be around people that you really dont know? What was your biggest fear of going to the Artic?
Hi Ariel, I can pretty much get along with anyone so I wasn’t really worried about meeting new people. Also, I think anyone who is going to be on the list to come here is probably going to be pretty cool and interesting, and luckily, I was right! 🙂 My biggest fear here actually has nothing to do with cold, ice, or polar bears. I think I was probably most afraid of the technology not working well enough for me to be able to communicate with you and everyone else through the blog!
How Long Do Ice Holes Stick Around ?
Hi Twanisha, I’m not sure what you mean by “ice holes,” but if you mean ice loss, there are seasonal changes that affect the concentration of ice, and if you’re referring to the holes we make with the drills to deploy the buoys, those stay as long as the instrument is there, and may get bigger if the ice melts. If you want more specifics, let me know!