In order to quantify the changes of glaciers and the ice sheet, and to study their interaction with the ocean, we are conducting in situ field observations in northwestern Greenland.
These observations have been carried out five times since 2012, and from last year we started collaboration with researchers from ETH Zurich and the University of Florence. In the coastal area of Qaanaaq, where we are based in, sea ice is now disappearing day by day with a start of summer season. In such severe environment, starting sea ice melt only in July, colorful houses of the village give us the impression of people’s life. After arrival to Qaanaaq, mass balance observations were initiated at the Qaanaaq Ice Cap. We measured heights of so called melting stakes, or poles that were left last year on the ice cap in order to monitor changes in the amount of snowfall and melting. Based on such continuous monitoring, we expect to reveal ongoing environmental changes in the Arctic region. Tomorrow, camp-based field observations will start at the Bowdoin Glacier.
Yoshihiko Ohashi (Hokkaido University)
*This post was written on 3rd July, 2016.
Sea ice is disappearing from the coast of Qaanaaq village
Mass balance measurement on Qaanaaq Ice Cap
Other posts of Qaanaaq observation
<2016>
- Field campaign in Bowdoin Glacier, Greenland (From Qaanaaq 2)
- Oceanographic observation in the Bowdoin fjord near Qaanaaq, northwestern Greenland (From Qaanaaq 3)
- Workshop with Qaanaaq village people (from Qaanaaq 4)
<2017>
- Research expedition on the northwestern Greenland Ice Sheet 1 - Maintenance of Auto Weather Station -
- Research expedition on the northwestern Greenland Ice Sheet 2 - Geophysical survey at Bowdoin Glacier, northwest Greenland (6-17 July 2017) -
- Workshop with Qaanaaq village people
- Ocean observations in Bowdoin Fjord, Northwest Greenland
<2018>
- Ice cap and outlet stream observations in Qaanaaq, northwestern Greenland
- Workshop with the residents of Qaanaaq in Greenland
- Ocean measurements in Inglefield Fjord and workshop with the residents of Qeqertat Village in Greenland
<2019>
- Field observations of surface mass balance and meltwater discharge on Qaanaaq Ice Cap, northwestern Greenland
- Field observation in Bowdoin Glacier, northwestern Greenland
- Oceanographic observation in Inglefield Fjord and workshop with residents in Qeqertat Village, northwestern Greenland
