Balance de masa reciente y dinámica de los glaciares de la Península Hurd (Isla Livingston, Antártida) en un contexto de clima cambiante

El objetivo final de esta tesis doctoral es analizar el balance de masa de los glaciares Hurd y Johnsons, en isla Livingston, una isla glaciada que forma parte del archipiélago de la Shetland del Sur, situado al noroeste de la península Antártica. Un elemento esencial de esta investigación es analizar la evolución del balance de masa de estos glaciares en el contexto de las variaciones climáticas regionales. En este sentido, el estudiar dos glaciares de distinta morfología (Hurd, terminado en tierra, y Johnsons, terminado en mar) confiere un interés especial a esta tesis, ya que la respuesta dinámica de estos glaciares a las variaciones climáticas, y sus cambios de balance de masa asociados, es distinta. Además, se trata de dos glaciares representativos de un gran número de glaciares de ambos tipos presentes en esta región, por lo que su estudio tiene un interés no sólo local, sino regional.

Effects of recent cooling in the Antarctic Peninsula on snow density and surface mass balance

The Antarctic Peninsula region has experienced a recent cooling for about 15 years since the beginning of the 21st century. In Livingston Island, this cooling has been of 0.8°C over the 12-yr period 2004–2016, and of 1.0°C for the summer average temperatures over the same period. In this paper, we analyse whether this observed cooling has implied a significant change in the density of the snowpack covering Hurd and Johnsons glaciers, and whether such a density change has had, by itself, a noticeable impact in the calculated surface mass balance. Our results indicate a decrease in the snow density by 22 kg m-3 over the study period. The density changes are shown to be correlated with the summer temperature changes. We show that this observed decrease in density does not have an appreciable effect on the calculated surface mass balance, as the corresponding changes are below the usual error range of the surface mass balance estimates. This relieves us from the need of detailed and time-consuming snow density measurements at every mass-balance campaign.This research was funded by the Spanish State Plan for Research and Development projects CTM2014-56473-R and CTM2017-84441-R

Atmospheric patterns over the Antarctic Peninsula

Dataset available in: https://repositorio.aemet.es/handle/20.500.11765/7914Using clustering analysis for the SLP field of the ERA Interim reanalysis between 1979 and 2016, five synoptic pressure patterns have been obtained for Drake area and Antarctic Peninsula (AP) region (45°S 75°S 20°W 120°W) and the resulting daily series has been made available to the scientific community. The five patterns have been named according their most important features as Low over the Weddell Sea (LWS), Low over the Amundsen and Bellingshausen Seas (LAB), Low over the Drake Passage (LDP), Zonal over the Drake Passage (ZDP) and Ridge over the Antarctic Peninsula (RAP). Each atmospheric pattern has been described after analyzing their development and evolution. A frequency analysis shows that the 5 atmospheric patterns present a similar annual frequency but a large seasonal variability. Their transitions from one to other pattern tends to follow a cycle in which synoptic atmospheric waves displaces eastwards a quarter-wavelength. Four of the five atmospheric patterns (except RAP) are very influenced by SAM, only LAB and LWS are influenced to some degree by ENSO. Occurrence of LAB pattern presents a positive trend showing agreement with other studies that indicates an enhancement of the Amundsen-Bellingshausen Sea Low. Finally, atmospheric circulation patterns have been related with the airmass advection and precipitation in Livingston Island showing the potential application to study the changes in the surface mass balance on the AP cryosphere.This work is supported by Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) trough AEMET Antarctic program and by the Spanish Investigation Agency (AEI) and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), grant CTM2016-79741-R for MICROAIRPOLAR Project

Atmospheric patterns over the Antarctic Peninsula [Dataset]

Daily series of atmospheric patterns computed using cluster analysis over the Antarctic Peninsula. A further description of the dataset is provided into the article “Atmospheric patterns over the Antarctic Peninsula” published in: Journal of climate. 2018, 31(9), p. 3597-3608. https://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-17-0598.1. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11765/888

Effects of recent cooling in the Antarctic Peninsula on snow density and surface mass balance

The Antarctic Peninsula region has experienced a recent cooling for about 15 years since the beginning of the 21st century. In Livingston Island, this cooling has been of 0.8°C over the 12-yr period 2004–2016, and of 1.0°C for the summer average temperatures over the same period. In this paper, we analyse whether this observed cooling has implied a significant change in the density of the snowpack covering Hurd and Johnsons glaciers, and whether such a density change has had, by itself, a noticeable impact in the calculated surface mass balance. Our results indicate a decrease in the snow density by 22 kg m-3 over the study period. The density changes are shown to be correlated with the summer temperature changes. We show that this observed decrease in density does not have an appreciable effect on the calculated surface mass balance, as the corresponding changes are below the usual error range of the surface mass balance estimates. This relieves us from the need of detailed and time-consuming snow density measurements at every mass-balance campaign

The Permafrost Young Researchers Network (PYRN): From EUCOP 2014 to ICOP 2016

The Permafrost Young Researchers Network (PYRN) is an international organization hosted by the International Permafrost Association (IPA) and technically supported by Arctic Portal. The network provides a platform for innovative collaboration between young permafrost researchers and aspires to recruit, maintain and promote future generations of permafrost researchers. PYRN strives to apply its multi-disciplinary talents toward global awareness, knowledge and response to permafrost-related challenges in a changing global climate. Officially founded at the 2nd International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP II) in 2005, it will already celebrate its 10th birthday in the coming year. PYRN became increasingly popular after the International Polar Year that highlighted the importance of including young generations in polar research activities. Since then PYRN expanded constantly with more than 1000 permafrost young researchers from permafrost and non-permafrost countries today. PYRN built partnerships with large organizations such as the Climate and Cryosphere Project (CliC) and the International Permafrost Association (IPA). Under a joint Memorandum of Understanding, PYRN works closely together with the IPA and the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) on a bi-polar and interdisciplinary perspective for a better understanding of cryospheric processes for society. PYRN is guided by an Executive Committee, consisting of 12 young researchers, but operates through its members that self-organize themselves. In the last years PYRN organized several workshops during regional and international conferences related to polar research and was active in education and outreach activities in schools and universities. To keep it members and partners updated the network regularly publishes a newsletter. The latest activities have been arranged at the European Conference on Permafrost (EUCOP4) in Portugal, to maintain an active, dynamic and growing early career scientific network on permafrost. Organized together with APECS, PAGE21, and ADAPT, this workshop was kindly sponsored by the IPA, CliC, the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) and the Bolin Centre for Climate Research. The workshop included around 100 early career permafrost scientists from 20 countries that gathered interdisciplinary knowledge about permafrost and its key role in the Earth System in thematic break-out sessions and workshops. In coordination with the ICARP III activities, a major goal of the workshop was to frame the future avenues of permafrost research from a young researcher’s perspective, contributing directly to IASC and the IPA strategy with Permafrost Priority Sheets for ICARP III. For the 11th International Conference on Permafrost 2016 (ICOP 2016) in Potsdam (Germany), PYRN has been involved in the conference planning from the very beginning to effectively integrate PYRN members in the process of organization as well as young researchers activities in the overall conference program (e.g. session co-chairs, workshop, PYRN awards, social program). On its way to Potsdam, you can approach PYRN on many upcoming conferences with permafrost-related topics. It will collect and trying to integrate ideas for a successful young researcher program during ICOP 2016 and is looking forward to discussions with its worldwide members. The Arctic Change conference 2014 in Canada will be the first stage on the road to ICOP 2016 in Germany

Permafrost Young Researchers Network (PYRN): Perspectives and Priorities of the next Generation on Permafrost Research

The Permafrost Young Researchers Network (PYRN, pyrn.arcticportal.org) is an international network fostering innovative collaboration, seeking to recruit, retain, and promote future generations of permafrost researchers. Established in 2005, in the framework of the 2nd International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP II), PYRN is evolving and expanding its network, bringing together young and enthusiastic permafrost scientists from all around the world (Fig. 1) to exchange ideas and knowledge. We strongly benefit from our cooperation with the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) and our overarching organization, the International Permafrost Association (IPA), as well from partnerships with Climate and Cryosphere Project (CliC) and Polar Educators International (PEI). Currently about 1,200 members are involved in PYRN, including young researchers from natural and social science, engineering and humanities. By bringing together these different disciplines, PYRN fosters research on how the arctic, antarctic and mountain permafrost regions play a key role in the Earth’s system. It has long been acknowledged that early career scientists need to be included in future polar activities since they develop, direct, and realize ideas; they frame upcoming projects, and find answers to the rising questions in our scientific frame. In the framework of large organizational activities, like the 4th International Polar Year in 2007-2008 or ICARPIII, we are able to give PYRN members a voice. Over the past years, PYRN hosted workshops during regional and international permafrost conferences. It is increasingly present at such conferences with sessions and social network events. The latest activities have been arranged at the European Conference on Permafrost (EUCOP4) in Évora/Portugal. Here, a workshop for around 100 early career permafrost scientists from 20 countries was jointly organized by PYRN, APECS, PAGE21 (Changing Permafrost in the Arctic and its Global Effects in the 21st Century), and ADAPT (Arctic Development and Adaptation to Permafrost in Transition) - kindly sponsored by the IPA, CliC, the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), and the Bolin Centre for Climate Research. Besides break-out sessions of interest for young researchers developing their career in polar science, an activity in the form of a “World Café” was conducted to raise cutting edge research questions. Mentored by IASC and the IPA, the major goal of the activity was to elaborate on the future avenues of permafrost research from a young researchers' perspective. The outcome contributes directly to the IASC and IPA strategy through a “Permafrost Priority Sheet” for the ICARP III. During the current election period 2014-2016, PYRN celebrates its 10th year of existence. A number of important events where PYRN actively participate in the form of workshops and presentations will take place, including the EGU, AGU, the Regional Conference on Geography (Moscow), and ICOP 2016 (Potsdam). New goals have been set up for means to develop the PYRN network, e.g. through innovative outreach projects and website amelioration and revival