International Polar Year: Science at the Ends of the Earth

In response to unprecedented changes in planetwide changes in glaciers as part of the the Antarctic Landsat mosaic and the underly- the fragile polar regions of our planet, the U.S. Climate Change Science Program. The ing scenes used in the mosaic, which will be International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2008 will project will culminate in the production of a available for download. encompass many scientific studies designed satellite image atlas of the world’s glaciers, as to improve our understanding of polar change well as coastal-change and glaciological maps and its effects on Earth’s ecosystems and of Antarctica. Arctic Permafrost Thawing in the Yukon people. For 2 years, U.S. Geological Survey River Basin (USGS) researchers will don arctic gear and USGS scientists are working with U.S. and Sea-Ice Change and Arctic Life join scientists from more than 60 countries to Canadian agencies, universities, and tribes conduct coordinated research and analysis in The future of many Arctic animals and eco- to understand and predict climate-induced the Arctic and Antarctic. systems is linked to the fate of the Arctic ice changes to the air, water, land, plants, and ani- pack. At the USGS Alaska Science Center, mals within the Yukon River Basin. The study Polar regions play a critical role in the global scientists study polar bears, walruses, and is a benchmark for understanding and tracking climate system—and changing conditions in their essential sea-ice habitats. As ice moves changes to biological communities, stored car- these often remote areas greatly affect biologi- farther north or degrades due to climate bon, the water cycle, and human infrastructure cal, atmospheric, and human systems around warming, animals are forced to migrate to in the Arctic and sub-Arctic region as a result the world. In the 50 years since the last IPY, less favorable areas. USGS and Canadian of permafrost thawing and landscape change. scientists have seen that Antarctic ice shelves scientists have already documented a decline and glaciers worldwide are thinning and in the Western Hudson Bay polar bear popula- retreating, permafrost is thawing, and Arctic tion. Researchers are also examining changes The U.S. Antarctic Photography sea-ice cover is decreasing. The loss of sea-ice in freshwater discharges and shifts in the Collection cover adversely affects marine mammal popu- distribution of plants, fish, migratory birds, lations and leaves coastal Alaskan villages This is the world’s largest and oldest collec- and other wildlife. This timely research helps vulnerable to winter storm erosion. Thawing tion of Antarctic aerial photography, consist- provide solid information on which to base permafrost threatens the integrity of roads, ing of about 400,000 photos dating back to critical decisions. buildings, and other vulnerable infrastructure the 1940s. It represents a valuable source of and affects the mobility of local populations. historical data. Users will be able to download these images from the Internet at no cost. Arctic Petroleum Resource Assessment USGS Work in Polar Regions The USGS World Petroleum Assessment of 2000 indicated that a large portion of the Benchmark Glacier Program During the IPY, scientists will conduct world’s remaining oil and gas resources may research at both poles, collecting informa- Glaciers grow and shrink in response to cli- occur in the Arctic. In 2003, the USGS began tion on polar conditions and studying their mate variations. USGS scientists are measur- a thorough and rigorous assessment of the interaction with and influence on oceans, the ing winter snow accumulation, summer snow petroleum resources in the Arctic. The first atmosphere, land masses, and ecosystems to and ice melt, glacier geometry, climate vari- results of this study will be completed during understand current and forecast future global ables, and stream runoff at three U.S. glaciers. the IPY. climate. The USGS has a long tradition of These glaciers, located in Washington State, research in the polar regions and, through IPY coastal Alaska, and interior Alaska, represent three regions with different climates, each 2007-2008, our scientists will lead many polar Landsat 7 Image Mosaic of Antarctica containing a large number of glaciers. This projects, including the ones highlighted here: (LIMA) ongoing 50-year record—the longest such In cooperation with the British Antarctic Sur- record in North America—is improving our Glacier Studies Project vey and the National Aeronautics and Space understanding of the effects of climate change Administration (NASA), the USGS is creating on glaciers, water resources, and glacier- Most of the world’s glaciers have decreased a high-quality remotely sensed mosaic of Ant- related hazards. in size and volume in the last decade, raising arctica from more than 1,200 Landsat scenes. sea level globally and depleting centuries-old The LIMA IPY Web portal will provide a site stores of freshwater in high-mountain regions. For more information on IPY and related for scientists to view maps, share research USGS scientists are working with more than USGS activities, please visit: activities and resources, and distribute data. http://www.usgs.gov/ipy 130 U.S. and foreign researchers to study The portal is designed to aid online access to

U.S. Department of the Interior Printed on recycled paper Fact Sheet 2007-3013 U.S. Geological Survey February 2007