New understanding of Arctic ice
The break-up of a 35,000 square kilometre ice floe northeast of Greenland this summer could give new information about Arctic ecosystems, researchers from the Norwegian Polar Institute say. Norway is now establishing a new Centre on Ice and Climate in a bid to enhance knowledge about Arctic ice.
The break-up the huge ice floe was observed during a research expedition to the Northwest Passage this September. The case could give new information about how the Arctic ecosystem reacts on rapid changes in the ice layers, the Polar Institute reports in a press release.
The increasing interest in Arctic ice studies is now materialising in new Norwegian research.
In its 2009 budget, the Norwegian government allocates 22 million NOK for the establishment of a new Centre on Ice and Climate, to become a branch unit of the Polar Institute in Tromsø, northern Norway.
“The centre is to improve knowledge about problems connected with melting ice, and contribute to enhanced understanding of the importance of reducing climate gas emissions”, the Polar Institute informs.
With the new centre, the northern city of Tromsø strengthens its position as the leading Norwegian site for Arctic and climate studies
