Glaciology is the science of what? What will the glaciologist learn?
Glaciology is the science of what? What do specialists do that work in this area? Let's try to find the answer to these and other questions.
What is the study of glaciology?
The tasks assigned to science include:
- studying the features of the formation of glaciers, the conditions of their existence;
- study of the composition, physical properties of ice;
- consideration of the geological impact of glaciers on the surface of the planet;
- The study of the geography of the distribution of ice formations.
Glaciology is the science of ice, which is inextricably linked with physics, geology. Specialists in this field widely use methods of mechanics and geographic sciences.
History of the formation of science
The specific range of problems that facesglaciology, was outlined in the 19th century. However, at this time, scientists felt a lack of systematic materials about glaciers. The specialists lacked knowledge about the physical properties of ice, its behavior. Therefore, the first serious stage in the formation of glaciology as a science was characterized mainly by the accumulation of knowledge, the formation of scientific methods.
The beginning of the 20th century was marked for sciencethe launch of a number of large-scale expeditions aimed at investigating glaciers concentrated in the polar circle. Contributed to the disclosure of the essence of physical phenomena that occur in glaciers, the emergence of such accurate methods as: aerial photography, photogrammetry, thermal drilling, soil sounding. During this period, scientists managed to develop a single classification of ice, to trace the features of the movement, formation and melting of glaciers.
During the last century, extensive information was collected on the geographical distribution of permafrost. Scientists managed to open new glaciers and make catalogs with their detailed description.
What are glaciologists doing?
The glaciologist is a work that suggestsThe study of avalanches, reservoirs, which were formed as a result of melting of ice. Moreover, experts of this category make dangerous routes on maps, thus preventing the occurrence of accidents and natural disasters.
What is the practical value of glaciology?
In addition, glaciology is the science of howTo prevent natural disasters caused by changes in the behavior of glaciers. The practical side of the development of the exercise is also the recording of territories that are released as a result of the movement of glaciers for the purpose of carrying out economic activities.
Scientific institutes
For the development of science, a number of stations have been organized, which are concentrated in the Polar Urals, Franz Josef Land, Altai, Novaya Zemlya, in the Northeast and Central Asia.
Important Glaciological Studies
The first serious expeditions aimed atthe study of the world's largest glaciers, were organized during the period from 1923 to 1933 by Soviet scientists. Observations were conducted in Central Asia, the Urals, and Novaya Zemlya. The purpose of the expeditions was mainly the collection of useful information about glacial formations.
An impressive impetus to the development of science has givenan expedition organized by the Soviet researcher GA Avsyuk in the period from 1950 to 1960. It was sent to observe the glaciers of the Tien Shan. As a result, scientists managed to establish the tempo and patterns of permafrost movement.
In 1877, the world community adopteddecision on the organization of a special aerospace service, which should monitor the melting of snow and ice in various regions of the planet. The purpose of its creation was the formation of data on the processes that lead to the replenishment of freshwater resources on Earth. For the first time such observations were made by the crew of the space station Salyut-6. Studies were of a visual nature. The bulk of valuable data scientists have been able to collect through the use of 12-fold and 6-fold binoculars. Images of the earth's surface, which were executed from a height of about 350 km, made it possible to obtain a whole mass of high-quality images, through which it was possible to perform fairly accurate measurements.
In 2012, the national glaciologists, whoworked in Antarctica, succeeded in successfully drilling an ice cap, the thickness of which was about 4 km. Scientists have access to the waters of the prehistoric subglacial lake. The study of a unique ecosystem, which was formed over several million years, made it possible to identify microorganisms previously unknown to science. The discovery was important for the development not only of glaciology, but also of space research. His unexpected results suggested that such biologically active broths exist not only under the ice cap of the Earth, but also on other planets, as well as their satellites.
