Blog originally posted on The GLOBE Scientists' Blog: http://blog.globe.gov/sciblog/2012/09/26/xpedition-day-five-moir-hut-to-lava-tower/
Today marks another transition between biomes – from heath zone to alpine desert. An alpine desert is a harsh, dry, windy region that consists of mostly bare rock and ice. Temperatures during the day can soar to 38°C, while at night can be below freezing. The air is very thin, which results in labored breathing as well as more intense solar radiation. The Lava Tower camp sits at approximately 5,029 m (16,499 ft).
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Field Campaigns:
Seasons and Biomes
GLOBE Science Topics:
Climate Change
Climate
Blog originally posted on The GLOBE Scientists' Blog: http://blog.globe.gov/sciblog/2012/09/25/xpedition-day-four-shira-1-camp-to-moir-hut/
Today the team will hike from Shira 1 Camp to Moir Hut (Shira 2 Camp on the map below). This part of the journey will take the team further into the heath zone. As discussed yesterday, the heath zone is a zone of sparse vegetation due to lower rainfall amounts.
The route the team is taking: the western approach route
The team stops for a discussion about soils
Today’s question focuses on the protocols that...
Posted in:
Field Campaigns:
Seasons and Biomes
GLOBE Science Topics:
Climate Change
Climate
Blog originally posted on The GLOBE Scientists' Blog: http://blog.globe.gov/sciblog/2012/09/24/xpedition-day-three-forest-camp-to-shira-1-camp/
Today the team heads from 2,438 m to 3,505 m above sea level. This portion of the journey will take the team from rain forest to heath zone. A rain forest is characterized by high rainfall, with annual totals ranging from 1750-2000 mm (68-78 in). A heath zone is above the forest line, where porous soils and lower rainfall result in sparser vegetation.
Leaving the rain forest heading to the heath zone
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Posted in:
Field Campaigns:
Seasons and Biomes
GLOBE Science Topics:
Climate Change
Climate
Blog originally posted on The GLOBE Scientists' Blog: http://blog.globe.gov/sciblog/2012/09/23/xpedition-day-two-basecamp-to-forest-camp/
Packed and ready for the journey
Today, Sunday, 23 September, the team packs up the vehicles and heads off on their journey. Their itinerary for the day includes a few hours’ drive from basecamp followed by a 3 hour hike to Forest Camp, located at 2,438 m above sea level.
Taking a quick break on the hike
The bloggers were asked the following question as they set off on their journey: Did you do...
Posted in:
Field Campaigns:
Seasons and Biomes
GLOBE Science Topics:
Climate
Climate Change
Blog originally posted on the GLOBE Scientists' Blog: http://blog.globe.gov/sciblog/2012/09/19/students-teachers-and-scientists-explore-mt-kilimanjaro-through-globe-protocols-and-blogs/
Beginning on 23 September, five GLOBE students, teachers and scientists and one GLOBE alum will join commence on a journey through the biomes of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. Known as, “the Xpedidion,” the 2012 trek marks the fifth year of this exciting journey. This year will be bigger than ever as a documentary film crew will join us. In addition, we will be sharing images via social media...
