Led by researchers at UiT--The Arctic University of Norway and the University of Bristol, a solution to measure ice thickness even in summer using satellites, was developed by an international team. This is very important for weather and climate forecasts and shipping in the Arctic.
Jack Landy of the Department of Physics and Technology at UiT, who is the team leader and began the work while at the University of Bristol said: "The Arctic ice is melting faster than ever. We need knowledge about the thickness of the sea ice, both to reduce safety risks for businesses and shipping in the Arctic, but also to make forecasts for the future climate."
The research team has developed the first dataset showing the thickness of sea ice across the entire Arctic and throughout the whole year. Since the 1980s, satellites have been used to measure the thickness of ice in the Arctic, but the technique has only worked in winter when the ice and snow are cold and dry. However, in the summer months, the satellites are dazzled by ponds of snow and ice meltwater that pool on the sea ice surface. Then they have been unable to distinguish between melting ice and water.
To solve the problem, the researchers have adopted Artificial Intelligence (AI) and examined previous data from the satellites. Now they know when the satellites register ice and when they register ocean. In addition, the team has constructed a new computer model of the satellite sensor, to make sure it is measuring the correct height and thickness. This is very useful as shipping in the Arctic has increased rapidly recently because of the ice melting. To sail safely, the boats need information in advance about where there is ice and its thickness.
The Norwegian Meteorological Institute provide sea ice forecasts for the Arctic but has lacked secure ice thickness data for the summer months. According to Associate Professor, Dr Michel Tsamados from University College London the findings are also of great importance for our understanding of the weather and the climate. He is one of the researchers behind the study and explains that the new data can be used in advanced climate models to improve our weather and climate forecasts.
Aruna Gaitonde, Editor in Chief of the Asian Bureau, Rough&Polished
