摘要：ITASE has as its primary aim the
collection and interpretation of
a continent-wide array of environmental
parameters (Fig. 1),
assembled through the coordinated
efforts of scientists from 20
nations. ITASE offers the groundbased
opportunities of traditional
style traverse travel, coupled with
the modern technology of GPS,
crevasse detecting radar, satellite
communications and multi-disciplinary
research (Fig. 2). By operating
predominantly in the mode
of an oversnow traverse, ITASE
offers scientists the opportunity
to experience the dynamic range
of the Antarctic environment.
The combination of disciplines
represented by ITASE provides a
unique, multi-dimensional (x, y,
z and time) view of the ice sheet
and its history. As of 2004, ITASE
has completed >20,000 km of
snow radar, recovered more than
240 firn/ice cores (total depth
7000 m), remotely penetrated
to ~4000 m into the ice sheet,
and sampled the atmosphere to
heights of >20 km.
