Svalbard – An extension of the North Pole Environmental Observatory

1. Relevance The project aims to develop a capability in Norway for ocean current profiling measurements based on electromagnetic induction, to perform joint scientific studies with this technique in combination with other measurements in the Svalbard – North Pole region, and to exchange researchers and graduate students between University of Bergen and University of Washington. The proposed activities fall within the category Oceanography and geophysics (melting and freezing of sea ice, Atlantic studies and interior variability mapping, process studies, regional climate simulation-impact studies) mentioned in the call and in the NSF-RCN agreement. The scientific focus is on ocean mixing processes linking Atlantic Water heat to sea ice variability in the context of climate change. The project will form a thematic and geographic extension of the NSF-funded North Pole Environmental Observatory (NPEO). It is linked to two ongoing RCN projects and will be linked to up to four additional RCN proposals subject to funding. 2. International collaboratio