Changes of North-Western Spitsbergen Cryosphere (CryoChange)

Updated 2016-04-30

Project aims indicate of changes of main terrestrial cryosphere components – glaciers and permafrost. Research on glaciers assumes both to inspect recent changes (mass balance, geometry, thermal structure and widely understood dynamics) and to reconstruct past events (especially in base on subaqual records in the marine-part forefields of the tide-water glaciers). Selected research results are part of the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS). The most widely studied are Waldemar Glacier, Irene Glacier and Elise Glacier. Several research aspects, such as geometry of glaciers are investigated for more than 30 years, since first NCU Polar Expedition in 1975. Permafrost investigations are focused on the depth of the summer active layer thawing and thermal properties of it. Selected results constitutes a part of Circumpolar Active Layer Monitoring (CALM) programme.

Time frame

Status
Ongoing
Project time span
1975 -
Data collection
1975 -
Data processing
1975 -
Data reporting
1975 -

Contact information

Contact person
Ireneusz Sobota -
Address

Ireneusz Sobota

Email
lp.kmu@osri

Parameters and Media

Parameter groups measured/observed/modelled
Media sampled/studied/modelled
Ice/snowpack
Permafrost

Geography

Regions studied
Svalbard
Stations or areas where observations are made

Nicolaus Copernicus University Polar Station

Data availability

Samples/specimens archived in specimen banks?
No

Methods & Procedures

Procedures and methodology used for, e.g., sampling and sample storage, sample pretreatment, extraction and analysis, including which laboratories are involved, references to methods employed, etc.

winter and summer mass balance, changes in glaciers geometry (both, geodetic in-situ and remote sensing methods), thermal structure of glaciers (direct measurements and indirect features, e.g. icings formation monitoring), bathymetry of glaciers bays, active layer key features

Additional Information

Is this a bi- AND multi-lateral project (i.e. a project involving cooperation between different countries)?
No
Other institutes involved in the project

Nicolaus Copernicus University (UNK)

Is this project reporting to other organizations/programmes?

Circumpolar Active Layer Monitoring (CALM), World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS)

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