The overall objective of INTAROS is to develop an integrated Arctic Observation System (iAOS) by extending, improving and unifying existing systems in the different regions of the Arctic. INTAROS has a strong multidisciplinary focus, with tools for integration of data from atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere and terrestrial sciences, provided by institutions in Europe, North America and Asia. Satellite earth observation data plays an increasingly important role in such observing systems, because the amount of EO data for observing the global climate and environment grows year by year. In situ observing systems are much more limited due to logistical constraints and cost limitations. The sparseness of in situ data is therefore the largest gap in the overall observing system.
INTAROS will assess strengths and weaknesses of existing observing systems and contribute with innovative solutions to fill some of the critical gaps in the in situ observing network. INTAROS will develop a platform, iAOS, to search for and access data from distributed databases. The evolution into a sustainable Arctic observing system requires coordination, mobilization and cooperation between the existing European and international infrastructures (in-situ and remote including space-based), the modelling communities and relevant stakeholder groups. INTAROS will include development of community-based observing systems, where local knowledge is merged with scientific data. An integrated Arctic Observation System will enable better-informed decisions and better-documented processes within key sectors (e.g. local communities, shipping, tourism, fisheries), in order to strengthen the societal and economic role of the Arctic region and support the EU strategy for the Arctic and related maritime and environmental policies.
Our UPM research group has participated in several work packages of the project and has also been responsible for the task whose final report and associated videos are shown below:
- Report
Ice discharge from glaciers to the ocean
A mathematical model-based approach developed by Universidad Politécnica of Madrid (UPM) to quantify the retreat and mass losses of the Greenland and Svalbard glaciers to the ocean. - Short video
Ice discharge from glaciers to the ocean
A brief introduction to the discharge of Greenland and Svalbard glaciers to the ocean, including the work done under INTAROS to study the changes taking place there. - Full video
Ice discharge from glaciers to the ocean – Full version
A full description of glacier discharge to the ocean, with examples from the Greenland and Svalbard glaciers, including work done under INTAROS to study the changes taking place there. - Web INTAROS
