Institute for Marine and Atmospheric research Utrecht
Ice & Climate

Land ice plays an important role in the earth climate system. Through its albedo, ice masses affect the global energy budget directly, while the interaction between atmosphere and glacier surfaces determines the local climate to a high degree. A warmer greenhouse climate might lead to enhanced melting of glaciers and ice caps, and changes in the dynamics of glaciers, causing changes in ocean circulation and sea level. Furthermore, the large ice sheets of Greenland and Antarctica contain the most accurate proxy records of climate and atmospheric composition currently available. Drilling deep ice cores can retrieve this information. A proper interpretation of these records requires a good understanding of the exchange processes between atmosphere and ice/snow surfaces and the dynamics of glaciers and ice sheets.

• Karthaus course on Ice sheets and glaciers in the climate system
  The Karthaus course provides a basic introduction to the dynamics of glaciers and ice sheets with a focus on ice-climate interactions.
  Applying for the course is now possible!
  Go to the course website HERE or download the 2013 flyer HERE.
• IMAU secures funding for the development of a new generation automatic weather stations
  In the NWO competition for medium-sized investments, the Ice and Climate group of IMAU has secured funds for the technical development of a new generation of automatic weather stations (AWS) for use on glaciers and ice sheets. The intelligent Weather Station for polar use (iWS) uses ultra-low power consumption sensors and electronics (including datalogger), enabling the full integration of electronics and all but two of the AWS sensors in a single unit (wind speed and radiation remain external). In combination with wireless internal and external data communication, this eliminates the need for vulnerable (external) cables and connectors, and greatly facilitates/shortens AWS installation, maintenance and repair visits. With power consumption reduced by over 95%, only three lithium batteries are required to power an iWs: this saves the environment, enhances transport safety/flexibility and reduces costs. Depending on whether the surface is ablating ice or accumulating snow, an independent, locally powered ultrasonic height sensor or snow thermistor string is installed next to the iWS, which communicate their data wirelessly to the iWS unit through Bluetooth. In melt areas over grounded ice, the iWS is combined with WiSe, a system of up to 32 wireless sensors that transmit englacial temperature and water pressure data through a maximum of 2400 m thick ice. We plan a four-year development, test and transition period (2012-2015) at eight AWS locations. After that, iWS is envisaged to replace all current UU/IMAU AWS.