Longyearbyen CO2 Lab
Political and public awareness related to the mission of a CO2-free Svalbard requires a first assessment of possible subsurface storage sites; can we store CO2 in the sedimentary rocks below Longyearbyen? The proposed study concentrates on this question, following several integrated lines of research.

Realistic 3D analogues for collapse-karst carbonate reservoirs
Project period: 2007-2008
The main aim is to create 3D reservoir-analogue models from superbly-exposed kilometre-scale reservoir analogues. The project aims on a new approach for establishing and using reservoir analogues for carbonate-hosted hydrocarbon reservoirs that include stratiform and cross-cutting collapse-breccias (here: paleocave breccias).

Upscaling of fault damage zones in reservoirs – impact on fluid flow simulations
Project Period: 2006-2009
The proposed project addresses a fundamental question in reservoir modelling – how can we upscale detailed fault data into grids of the reservoir model and flow simulators without losing crucial information?

Mediumfjellet thrust-stack in the Tertiary fold and thrust belt of Spitsbergen - developing an analogue petroleum model
Project period: 2007-2009
One of the best exposed thrust stack wedges in Spitsbergen’s fold-thrust belt occurs at Mediumfjellet. This wedge provides excellent opportunity to study the time-space interaction of different structural styles, e.g. in-sequence versus out-of-sequence thrusts and related folds and wrench-structures, and the processes responsible for uplift of Svalbard in the Early Cenozoic.

Reconstruction of the Weichselian Ice Sheet and the last deglaciation on Svalbard
Project period: 2008-2011
The aim of this project is to reconstruct the Late Weichselian ice sheet geometry and its chronology using cosmogenic nuclide dating. We aim to recognize and map the location and altitude of glacial trimlines and erosion features in quartz-bearing bedrock by an integrated analysis of available field outcrop data, air photographs and satellite imagery in Northwest Spitsbergen National Park, Indre Wijdefjord National Park and Nordaustlandet.

NSINK - Training in sources, sinks and impacts of atmospheric nitrogen deposition in the Arctic
Project period: 2008-2012
Marie Curie Initial Training Networks
The scientific component of this programme targets one of the most vital, interdisciplinary problems facing future Arctic environmental management: namely the enrichment of Arctic terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by reactive atmospheric nitrogen from low latitude emission centres. This problem will greatly exacerbate ecosystem response to climate change, and urgently requires holistic, sources to sinks type studies of nitrogen dynamics.

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

TSP Norway - Permafrost Observatory Project: A Contribution to the Thermal State of Permafrost in Norway and Svalbard 
An IPY research project (2007-2010)

The main objective of TSP NORWAY is to measure and model the permafrost distribution in Norway and Svalbard, including its thermal state, thickness and influence on periglacial landscape-forming processes.

CRYOSLOPE Svalbard - Climate change effects on high arctic mountain slope processes and their impact on traffic in Svalbard 
Norklima research project (2007-2009)
The main scientific goal of the CRYOSLOPE Svalbard project is to study the effects of modelled climate change in the high arctic Svalbard mountain landscape by using the existing landforms as archives of past activity, and by studying the ongoing slope process and meteorological activity to predict future slope activity and estimate its effect on traffic on both all-year and winter roads. Projected climate change scenarios will be based on regional climate models.

More information and to submit avalanche observations, please see

or contact Hanne H. Christiansen, associate professor in Physical Geography


                                                         

Glaciodyn
Project period: 2007-2010                                                                                    Global warming will have a large impact on glaciers in the Arctic region. Previous models of contribution to sea level rise do not include the dynamics of the glaciers. To arrive at more accurate predictions, Glaciodyn aims to study the dynamics of Arctic glaciers and develop new tools to deal with this dynamic response.

GEOkolibri, Low Altitude Remote Sensing on Svalbard using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV).
Project period: 2008 - 2009
There is an increasing demand of aerial photographs for a wide range of applications. Using UAV’s on Svalbard combines advantages such as, little environmental impact, high resolution images, flexible mission planning, no limitations concerning low-level flights and the low costs.

For further information go to www.geokolibri.com, click on the read more link below or contact Ulli Neumann

PERMASAR  
SAR measurements of permafrost.
Partners: Norut, NGU & UNIS.
Funding: Norsk Romsenter & StatoilHydro 

For further information contact Hanne Christiansen

PERMANOR
Permafrost observatory in the Nordic Arctic: sensitivity and feedback mechanisms of permafrost changes.
Partners: University of Copenhagen, University of Stockholm, UNIS, University of Helsinki, Bioforsk, University of Oslo.
Funding: Norden arctic collaboration programme.

For further information contact Hanne Christiansen