11:33 | Huaraz (Ancash region), Jul. 9.
A team of
scientists from Ohio State University (U.S.) and the National Institute for Research on Glaciers and Mountain Ecosystems —Inaigem (Peru) is ready to start the climb up to Huascaran, the highest mountain in Peru.
The research expedition is led by prominent paleoclimatologist and glaciologist Lonnie Thompson.
Specialized equipment and necessary logistics reached the
Huascaran base camp Tuesday along with the scientists.
Inaigem CEO Gisella Orjeda said the team will remain at the base camp for a few days to get acclimatized before recovering and studying ice cores in said mountain.
Via Twitter, Orjeda thanked the regional high mountain police for helping transport the scientists and their equipment to the base camp. Another group moved up to the base camp on foot.
This expedition is unique in the world as it explores a tropical glacier. Plus, it might be the last one, as glaciers are melting in Peru.
Research
The team of scientists will spend a month drilling glacier ice on Huascaran Mountain until they reach the bedrock in order to collect up to 167 linear meters of ice and carry out a number of studies.
Drilling is set to begin on July 13 and will be completed before July 30.
The investigation will provide data on atmospheric chemistry, temperature, human activity, Amazon biodiversity, El Niño phenomenon-related events, and Andean volcanic eruptions over the past 20,000 years.
(END) MAO/RMB/MVB
Published: 7/9/2019