Workshop in Ny-Ålesund: Friction and Fracture and the Onset of Geohazards

GEOLOGICAL DISASTERS: How does geological disasters happen? Can they be predicted?

A cross-disciplinary group from the Centre of Advanced Studies (Norway) visited Ny-Ålesund Research Station in August to discuss these questions related to the onset of geohazards. The group spent 4 days in Ny-Ålesund where they visited Kongsfjorden, the glacier fronts of Kongsvegen, Kronebreen and Blomstrandbreen. They also got to know the venue of Ny-Ålesund Research Station in terms of research activity and history.

For this specific group, Ny-Ålesund Reserach Station perfectly suits the idea of studying the onset of geohazards, including glacier instabilities. Ny-Ålesund is also the entry point to the field site on Kongsvegen for the MAMMA-MIA project (RiS-11473) which directly contributes to the aims of the projects through its investigation of the glaciers movement. The Research group is organized within the Centre of Advanced Studies at the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters (CAS) and has been awarded a period at the CAS for the academic year 2023/24.

The cross-disciplinary project will provide insight into friction and fracture processes along geological interfaces. These processes control the initiation, propagation and arrest of fractures that lead to earthquakes, landslides, and glacier surges and therefore have crucial societal relevance.