Autonomous Observatory in the Arctic

2001/06/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Ingurumena

According to scientists, the North Pole ice sheet regulates the global climate. Therefore, it is very important to keep track of the evolution of this layer. Scientists at the University of Washington have launched a fixed autonomous observatory that provides information on meteorology, ice and sea.

The viewpoint, weighing 4 tons and a half, reaches a depth of 4,100 meters with a cable of 4 kilometers. Among other things, you will observe the characteristics located 400 meters from the earth's surface. In this area is the border between the strong ice sheet and the deepest and most temperate flood layer. According to the measurements made, the top layer of ice is getting thinner, while the temperature of the temperate layer is increasing (a degree more than twenty years ago).