Greenland "MELT"
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From May through August 2024 in Greenland, the ICECAPS research team will deploy the autonomous "MELT" (MEasurements along Langrangian Transects) research platform to observe the fully coupled climate system in the Greenland percolation zone at "Raven Camp", the red dot on the map to the right. Here, we will observe somewhere around 30 days of surface melt per year and hopefully gain critical insight into the detailed processes that are changing the ice sheet. The MELT platform runs exclusively on solar and wind renewable energy, transmits data in realtime for research and model evaluation, and measures information critical to understanding the future of Greenland ice sheet.
The scientific goal of the MELT project is to characterize and understand the complete suite of important physical processes in the region of the Greenland ice sheet where melt regularly occurs and that melt percolates into the firn. From several meters below the firn surface to several kilometers into the atmosphere. As the global climate warms, with impacts magnified by Arctic amplification, this melting regime will continue to expand spatially therefore making measurements from the platform essential to our understanding of the changing climate.
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Everything is hard in the Arctic
Published: at 02:19 AMBeing cold and isolated makes the simple things difficult in funny ways
A blog post
Published: at 09:00 PMA blog post with a beautiful sunset video
A most special Mother's day
Published: at 08:24 PMWe got all of our moms together online for a special tour of our camp and the science installation.
The ICECAPS generations
Published: at 02:40 PMThe ICECAPS team has been around a while and created multiple generations of scientists.
The first light! Science is coming online...
Published: at 12:10 AMIts happening...!!!!!!!
Week one summary — Soon, science!
Published: at 04:21 PMThe power system is nearly complete and we're nearly ready to start taking data
Digging in
Published: at 01:05 PMPutting an installation into an ice sheet involves digging a lot of holes.
It’s not like they are going to space...
Published: at 07:40 PMHow do I explain what is going on to my 4-year-old?
The Amazing Optics of Greenland
Published: at 06:31 PMOptical phenomena from the sunlight and the ice can be a beautiful thing.
How to sleep at -30C
Updated: at 06:11 AMMatt gives a detailed run down of his sleeping routine on the ice sheet
Day one and two — Solar power and camp setup
Published: at 12:02 AMWe've made it, we've set up camp, we have power, and we've had big successes.
To Melt or Not to Melt
Published: at 07:58 AMMatt felt there were too many posts on the logistics, and takes us back into science discussing the potential melt event shortly after arriving on the ice.
All strapped down
Published: at 11:36 PMExactly how much effort does it take to get an autonomous platform 500 miles onto the Greenland ice sheet
Half a million calories and another day delay
Published: at 06:47 PMThe big day is finally here but another delay seems imminent. Leaving Kanger might be a challenge.
The case of the mangled mango
Published: at 06:38 PMSomebody has done something very very wrong. Who mangled the mango what will the team do about it?
"Hurry Up and Wait" or "Standby to Standby"
Published: at 01:01 PMThe big day is finally here but another delay seems imminent. Leaving Kanger might be a challenge.
From the air to the ice, our summer itinerary
Updated: at 08:05 PMWho we are, where we're going, and what we plan to do
Greenland ICECAPS-MELT project overview
Updated: at 08:05 PMA brief overview of the ICECAPS MELT project in the Greenland melt region
Recent Posts
Welcome to Cat's brrr¡to factory — it's fun!
Updated: at 09:13 PMEven though there's only three days to prepare, there's still enough time to make 56 burritos apparently
Arriving in Kanger — with only 3.5/7 prep days left
Updated: at 03:05 PMThe install group has arrived in Kanger and are busy beavers, will they be able to get ready for their departure date on Tuesday? What will get forgotten?
Contemplating the crux move
Updated: at 03:05 PMThe first day will probably be the hardest
“Is there a hardware store around here?”
Updated: at 08:05 PMStranded in Happy Valley Goose Bay Canada learning that sometimes you beat the Arctic and sometimes the Arctic beats you. Delays in Canada.
