Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research

The Working Group is concerned with Antarctic snow and ice in all its various forms, from atmospheric drift and precipitation over the plateau of the inland ice sheet to the outer reaches of the pack ice zone. Glaciological studies include physics and chemistry of the ice sheet to reveal ice sheet dynamics, past and present atmospheric composition, particularly in terms of climate change and the levels of "greenhouse" gases, and as a baseline for monitoring global pollution; ice thickness measurements to determine the mass balance and stability of the ice sheet with its potential for affecting global sea level; the dynamics of ice shelves which act as retaining barriers for the major ice streams draining the continental ice sheet and which are an important sink for tidal energy; the variability in the seasonal growth and extent of the sea ice which has a significant effect on the total albedo of the continent and its climate; and the interaction between the ice, ocean and atmosphere. Many of these studies increasingly use remote-sensing techniques, particularly those available in orbiting satellites, by which large regions can be surveyed simultaneously and be correlated with ground-truth observations at the surface.

For further information please visit the Working Group on Glaciology website, or contact the Chief Officer of the Group.

For current information please go to the Standing Scientific Group on Physical Sciences information pages

Members of the Working Group on Glaciology

Chief Officer
Prof Dahe Qin
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Bureau of Science and Technology for Resources and Environment
52 Sanlihe Road
Beijing 100864
China

Tel: +86 10 6859 7544
Fax: +86 10 6859 7552
E-mail: qdh@rays.cma.gov.cn

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