The increased interest in the potential impact of global warming on permafrost has prompted the International Permafrost Association (IPA) to launch an IPY project, Thermal State of Permafrost (TSP), which aims to create a globally consistent approach to monitoring permafrost.
Young permafrost researchers, through the Permafrost Young Researchers Network (PYRN) are contributing to the global TSP project with a new project termed PYRN-TSP. PYRN-TSP’s objective is to empower young researchers by giving them the means to lead teams that collect permafrost temperature data in new or abandoned boreholes.
A tough job for Margareta Johansson (right) in the cold spring of Abisko.
By the end of April 2008, a series of new shallow boreholes (<15m) were drilled and instrumented with temperature sensors on Svalbard and in northern Sweden. The teams responsible are from Lund University and The University Centre in Svalbard, led by Margareta Johansson and Håvard Juliussen, both young researchers at the early stage of their careers.
During the summer, further drilling will be performed in northern Norway and northern Finland. The establishment of these new boreholes has been made possible by a grant from the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Arctic Cooperation Programme. The data and results will be made freely available at the PYRN website and through the NORPERM database that is currently being developed as part of the TSP Norway project and the International Global Terrestrial Network of Permafrost (GTN-P).
The casing that will protect the temperature sensors is being fitted into the hole.
More information about PYRN-TSP can be obtained on the PYRN website or by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .