Report on International Exchange Program with the University of Oslo
As part of “Multi-scale and multi-method assessment of rapid glacier and ice sheet changes in the Arctic” (Coordinator: Shin Sugiyama, Hokkaido University), one of the selected themes for the International Research Exchange Program of Priority Subject 1, the Glacier and Ice Sheet Group of the Institute of Low Temperature Science at Hokkaido University and the Glacier Research Group of the Department of Geosciences at the University of Oslo collaborate on a variety of activities, including the exchange of researchers and graduate students, joint glacier observations, international workshops, and special lectures, practical training and exercises.
Table of Contents
Research visit at the University of Oslo（2023/2/17）New!
Research workshop of ECRs at the University of Oslo（2023/2/9）
Snow and ice field course in Moshiri, northern Hokkaido（2023/1/21）
Research workshop of ECRs from Hokkaido University and the University of Oslo（2023/1/21）
Research visit at the University of Oslo
Writer：Ken Kondo (Hokkaido University)
Yefan Wang (Hokkaido University)
We are currently visiting a glacier research group at the University of Oslo as a part of the ArCS II International Research Exchange Program. We have been in Oslo for more than a month since January 9th, by seeing a gradual increase in daylight hours each day. We have ample opportunities to meet with world-renowned glaciologists, who are specialized in in-situ and remote sensing observation, and numerical modeling. We take such opportunities to introduce our ongoing glacier research and have lively discussions. The experts give us valuable comments and suggestions on our research methodology and result interpretations. In particular, I learned a great deal from Professor Thomas Schuler, the coordinator of the exchange program, who is specialized in glacier subglacial hydrology and mass balance. Dr. Ugo Nanni, a specialist of glacial seismicity, is also helping us a lot.
People in Oslo cherish the sunlight during winter because of the short daylight hours. On sunny holidays, the streets are bustling with people going out for cross-country skiing. It seems that enjoying nature in deeply snow-covered forests is a typical way to spend holidays here. Researchers here live by this same ethos, enjoying nature on their days off and focusing on research during the weekdays. Following the adage, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” we have also adapted to this approach, enjoy skiing on weekends.
In the Section of Geography and Hydrology, where we are visiting, there are regular seminars on Tuesday and Friday at noon. Researchers and visitors introduce their studies or field observations in the seminar, where we have learned about a wide range of research from around the world by this chance. Furthermore, every Friday afternoon, there is a rotating “cake duty,” where researchers serve their homemade cakes and talk about the recent events and happenings over coffee before the weekend.
We have only one week left before leaving for Japan. I want to continue discussions with the researchers here until the very end of the visit and make every effort for new research results. I also intend to adapt the researchers’ lifestyle here into my daily life in Japan, which may lead to more efficient work in the future.
（2023/02/17）
Research workshop of ECRs at the University of Oslo
Writer：Shuntaro Hata (Hokkaido University)
Kaho Watanabe (Hokkaido University)
As a part of the ArCS II International Research Exchange Program, researchers and graduate students from Hokkaido University stayed in the Department of Geosciences, Oslo University in January – February 2023.
To exchange results and experiences of glacier research activities, we held a joint research seminar on 31st January. The seminar started with an introductory talk by Prof. Sugiyama about Hokkaido University and the ArCS II project. Then, four early career researchers and graduate students from Hokkaido University presented research in Greenland, Antarctica, and Patagonia. After a lunch break, Prof. Schuler introduced MAMMAMIA project which aims to reveal the mechanism of glacier acceleration in Svalbard. Thereafter, two participants from Oslo University presented field data from a glacier in Svalbard. A graduate student from Norwegian Polar Institute presented his study on glacial lakes in Antarctica.
The research topics presented in the seminar covered a wide range of research subjects (e.g. glacial lakes, glacier dynamics, glacier seismicity, mass balance) and research techniques (e.g. glacier monitoring, borehole measurements, satellite remote sensing). We had active discussions on differences and similarities in the results obtained in various regions and methods.
Discussions with oversea researchers were beneficial for the Japanese participants to introduce new ideas in our research activities. The exchange program provided all the participants with a great opportunity to exchange the latest study results each other. We will continue each research activity and meet again for further fruitful communication.
（2023/02/09）
Snow and ice field course in Moshiri, northern Hokkaido
Writer：Shin Sugiyama (Hokkaido University)
Two graduate students from the University of Oslo attended a snow and ice field course in Moshiri, northern Hokkaido, a region well known for heavy snow and cold temperature. This course has been organized by Hokkaido University since 2008. After three years of a break due to COVID-19, the program in 2023 was carried out with twenty graduate students from Hokkaido University and the University of Oslo.
The four-day program began with air temperature measurements with devices distributed in the area. The students experienced temperatures below 20 degree C and learned the mechanism causing such a low temperature in this region. On the second day, the participants dug more than 1.5 meter-deep snow to survey snow layers. With help of lecturers, various devices were used to measure temperature, density, grain size and snow structures. On the next day, students went out to the forest to survey snow amount distributions. Snow depth and water equivalent were measured in the field along a forest path to investigate the spatial distribution of snow. Thanks to sunny conditions, all the participants enjoyed walking and working in a deeply snow-covered forest. The program was completed with presentations on the final day. Each of six groups analyzed data obtained during the course and performed oral presentations.
The extremely cold and snowy conditions in Moshiri provided a unique and valuable opportunity to learn processes governing climate change in the Arctic. In addition to the scientific activities, the international atmosphere of the course offered the participants experience of English communication and presentation.
（2023/01/21）
Research workshop of ECRs from Hokkaido University and the University of Oslo
Writer：Shin Sugiyama (Hokkaido University)
Funded by the ArCS II International Research Exchange Program, Hokkaido University and the University of Oslo exchange researchers and graduate students for Arctic glacier and ice sheet research. From 10 to 24 January 2023, two graduate students of the University of Oslo stay at the Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University.
On 11 January, we organized a research seminar with researchers and graduate students from the two universities. The seminar began with an introductory talk by the program coordinator, Shin Sugiyama of Hokkaido University. The ArCS II Project and glacier/ice sheet research activity at Hokkaido University were introduced to the participants. The introduction was followed by presentations by the two graduate students from the University of Oslo, Satu Koroliina Innanen and Gabriele Bramati. Studies on mass balance and ice flow speed of glaciers in Svalbard were presented. The program continued with presentations by three graduate students from Hokkaido University. Recent data from Qaanaaq Ice Cap in Greenland were presented and discussed. The presentations and discussion covered a broad range of Arctic glacier research, from long-term glacier monitoring to satellite remote sensing.
The students from Oslo will attend a snow and ice field course in northern Hokkaido from 16 January. In January and February, early career researchers and graduate students of Hokkaido University stay at the University of Oslo for joint research activities.
（2023/1/21）