What were your main achievements in this campaign?

After being hidden for more than three years beneath the ice cover, two moorings were successfully recovered this summer near Nioghalvfjerdsbræ (79 North Glacier (79NG)). These moorings, one at the calving front of 79NG and the other approximately 50 nm offshore, collected data aimed at studying ocean-glacier interactions.

The journey abord the HDMS TRITON continued further south, conducting hydrographic measurements in other more southern fjord systems such a Young Sund and Kong Oscar Fjord.

What is known about the 79NG?

During the first phase of research in ocean-glacier interactions, 79NG was the primary focus: it is the largest marine-terminating outlet glacier of the Northeast Greenland Ice Stream. The work examined the pathways of oceanic heat from the continental shelf towards the glacier, which contributes to the melting of its large floating ice tounge.

The moorings recovered this year at 79NG by the AWI team will contribute to the understanding of how the subsurface warm water inflow to the glacier changes over time, and the processes that drive the circulation of warm water near the calving front.

Preliminary results from this campaign show a prolonged cooling of the warm subsurface Atlantic water that drives the basal melting of 79NG. Further analysis is required to determine the extent of this cooling, its drivers, and the implications for the basal melt rate.

What new insight are expected from measurements at fjords further south?

The hydrographic measurements taken on board the TRITON in fjords further south of 79NG contributes to the current work which extends the research focus to the whole East Greenland continental shelf. The ocean-glacier interactions examined at 79NG are thought to be applicable to other glacier systems as far south as Scoresby Sund (69° N). Thus, the drivers of ocean-driven melt rate of the marine-terminating glaciers in Northeast Greenland can be better quantified and understood.

How could you access a region of such harsh sea-ice conditions?

The field work was supported by the Joint Arctic Command who facilitated the coordination between the Danish Navy and the participating scientists at AWI. The scientific collaboration between institutes was organised by ISAAFFIK, the support of whom we are greatly appreciative. We are very grateful to the dedicated and capable support of our work by the captain and crew of HDMS TRITON.