In 2006, Asiaq entered into collaboration with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Arctic Technology Centre, Artek (Technical University of Denmark), and the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) on a three-year project directed at studying and modeling the distribution of permafrost in Greenland and Alaska.

The climate models used to predict the development in the Earth’s climate are becoming increasingly detailed, as our knowledge of the Earth’s climate and our computers’ powers of calculation increase. The distribution of permafrost is determined by both global and local conditions, and, until now, climate models have not been able to describe local conditions very well. The purpose of the project is to combine DMI’s new, more locally oriented, HIRHAM climate model and permafrost research. This collaboration between the two fields is expected to result in a prognosis of changes in the permafrost distribution in Western Greenland (maritime Arctic climate) and Alaska (continental Arctic climate) to the year 2050. The prognosis will form the basis for preparation of maps pinpointing the permafrost areas especially susceptible to thawing. In connection with infrastructure planning, urban development and other land usage, these types of maps will be of great value. In order to anchor the model in data from the two regions, stations have been set up in Greenland and Alaska to monitor local climate parameters above and below ground.

Please contact Keld Hornbech Svendsen