Western Arctic Observations

The early explorers of the western Arctic did not go with the intention of collecting ocean or weather data, but in the course of their journeys they collected many useful observations, and their notes form the first record of the area. Later explorations in the Arctic were more focused on gathering data as nations realized the importance of understanding the region for scientific, strategic and political purposes.

Here we highlight three chapters in the history of exploration and data gathering in the western Arctic.