CASCADES: A Journey Along Greenland’s Coast Where Ocean Meets Ice
CASCADES is an international, multidisciplinary expedition bringing together glaciologists, marine-mammal observers, microbiologists, geologists, and biogeochemists. The post CASCADES: A Journey Along Greenland’s Coast Where Ocean Meets Ice appeared first on NASA Science .
By Simon Bélanger, Université du Québec à Rimouski, Canada, experiencing the awe-inspiring icy landscapes is a unique feeling. The ice sheet cascades down to the sea through steep, towering fjords, sculpting a raw and mineral landscape. The Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Amundsen, equipped with its icebreaker capabilities, navigates near the remote community of Kullorsuaq in Greenland. The ship is part of the CASCADES expedition, a thematic voyage exploring the interactions between ocean, ice, and meltwater.
The expedition set sail on August 6, 2026, and traversed over 3,000 nautical miles (5,500 kilometers) to reach the Robeson Channel, located between Ellesmere Island and Greenland at 82°N. This area is characterized by cold water and sea ice flowing south out of the Arctic Ocean. Throughout the journey, the crew collected valuable oceanographic measurements in various fjords and settlements, such as Ilulissat (Jakobshavn), Uummannaq, Kullorsuaq, Petermann, and Qaanaaq (Thule).
These locations are prime examples of where ocean, ice, and meltwater intersect, providing researchers with invaluable data to understand the impacts of global warming on Greenland's glaciers.
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