Cold Climate or High Latitude Dust

Cold Climate or High Latitude Dust

A dust cloud hovers over exposed glacier silt playas at the Copper River Valley in Alaska (60°N). Image Credit: Gassó et al., 2018; USGS 
 

Most people think of the Sahara Desert when they think of dust storms, but the high latitudes experience dust events too. Scientists have limited understanding of dust storms in the high latitudes because on-the-ground observations are really sparse. Your photographs of dust storms in high latitudes are incredibly needed. High latitude is defined as 50-90 degrees North and 40-90 degrees South. With limited ways to gather data, your photographs could fill a critical data gap for scientists. Learn more of the impact of high latitude dust by this article written by NASA scientist Santiago Gassó- https://eos.org/meeting-reports/assessing-the-many-influences-of-high-latitude-dust

GLOBE Countries Impacted: Argentina, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, New Zealand, Russia, United Kingdom, and United States. 

When to Observe: Year-round, but especially during spring and summer when snow and permafrost melt.

Image of Flyer with steps for Cold Climate Dust Observations

Flyer on how to collect dust observations in high latitude or cold climate locations.