DAMOCLES Research
The main technological objective of DAMOCLES is to develop a prototype for an Arctic Ocean Observing System (AOOS) including major innovations and breakthrough in High Technology instrumentation adapted to a remote and harsh environment such as the Arctic Ocean.
The DAMOCLES research program is divided into five main areas:
- Core theme 1: Sea ice
- WP 1.1 - Ice thickness
- WP 1.2 - Ice types and properties
- WP 1.3 - Sea ice dynamics and thermodynamics
- WP 1.4 - Thermodynamics
- Core theme 2: Atmosphere and Air-Sea-Ice interaction
- WP 2.1 - Arctic cyclones
- WP 2.2 - Boundary Layer turbulence
- WP 2.3 - Clouds, radiative fluxes and surface albedo
- Core theme 3: Ocean
- WP 3.1 - Input function
- WP 3.2 - Shelf/Basin exchange
- WP 3.3 - The deep central Arctic Ocean
- WP 3.4 - Output to the North Atlantic and global circulation
- Core theme 4: Integration and data assimilation in large-scale modelling and forecasting
- WP 4.1 - Model Sensitivity and studies combining models with observations
- WP 4.2 - Predictability and improved simulation capabilities
- WP 4.3 - Enhancement of observational data sets by data assimilation and analysis
- Core theme 5: Impact Activity
- Impact Activity 1 - Long-term projections into the 21st century with the help of improved coupled climate models
- Impact Activity 2 - Impact on CO2 cycle and phytoplankton production
- Impact Activity 3 - Climatic Impact on Marine Ecosystems
- Impact Activity 4 - Adaptation and Vulnerability to Changing Conditions in the Arctic Ocean
MELTEX campaign started
The campaign MELTEX (Impact of melt ponds on energy and momentum fluxes between atmosphere and ocean) is performed over the Canadian part of the Beaufort Sea since 8 May 2008 and will last until the beginning of June.
Toward Reducing Uncertainties in Arctic Climate Simulations
The coincidence of rapid change in Arctic climate (the extreme 2007 decline in sea ice and recent unprecedented warming) and enhanced observational activities during the International Polar Year (IPY; 2007–2008) offers hope that these changes will be documented in great detail.
Exploring Arctic Transpolar Drift During Dramatic Sea Ice Retreat
The Arctic is undergoing significant environmental changes due to climate warming. The most evident signal of this warming is the shrinking and thinning of the ice cover of the Arctic Ocean.
Arctic sea ice in IPCC climate scenarios in view of the 2007 record low sea ice event
In September 2007, the Arctic sea ice extent reached a new record low of 4 million km2, about 1 million km2 lower than the preceding record low in 2005. The 2007 event is unprecedented in observed history. Here we try to summarize the current state of the discussion regarding the causes of this event and to which extent a prediction of such extreme events by models can be expected.
Work package objectives
WP5 includes overarching tasks which will employ contributions from all themes and provide feedback, and impact assessment tasks, which capitalize on the achievements of WP1-4.
From the press
- An Ice-Free North Pole? >>
[Time, June 27th, 2008] - Exclusive: No ice at the North Pole >>
[The Independent, June 27th, 2008] - North Pole Could be Ice-Free This Summer >>
[Live Science, June 26th, 2008] - Royals join forces on Arctic expedition >>
[The Local, June 22nd, 2008] - Ice diary: Science in the fast-changing Arctic >>
[BBC, June 22nd, 2008] - Greenland Ice Core Analysis Shows Drastic Climate Change Near End Of Last Ice Age >>
[ScienceDaily, June 20th, 2008] - Arctic sea ice melt 'even faster' >>
[, June 18th, 2008] - NASA Aircraft Examine Impact Of Forest Fires On Arctic Climate >>
[Science Daily, June 12th, 2008] - On their way into the Arctic and to the Orkney Islands >>
[Innovations Report, June 11th, 2008] - Permafrost Threatened By Rapid Retreat Of Arctic Sea Ice, Study Finds >>
[Science Daily, June 11th, 2008]
DAMOCLES is a european contribution to the International Polar Year 2007 - 2008.
DAMOCLES is financed by the European Union in the 6th Framework Programme.
