March 21, 2007 Vast, yet remote; frigid, yet teeming with life;
stark and barren, yet serenely beautiful -- these are just a few
of the contradictions of Earth's polar regions. Within their
frozen confines lie secrets -- clues scientists believe can help
unravel some of the mysteries that drive Earth's climate. That's
because Earth's poles are sensitive barometers to climate
change. They react quickly to a warmer environment, and the
effects of these reactions are felt on a global scale. In the
past 125 years, scientists have coordinated three international
expeditions to study the poles: in 1882, 1932 and 1957. The
1882-83 polar year led to the establishment of a series of
Arctic weather stations. The 1932-33 International Polar Year
expanded studies of the Arctic's meteorology and upper
atmosphere, and included the second Antarctic expedition by
Admiral Richard E. Byrd, conducted using both aircraft and
surface observations. In 1957-58, the International Geophysical
Year included major aircraft and surface