Tag Archives: The University Centre in Svalbard
Muck amok: Worst landslides in more than 40 years close roads, prompt warnings for all travel in mountains
A month-long stretch of record rainfall and unusually warm temperatures have triggered the worst landslides in Longyearbyen since 1972, forcing the closure of roads near hillsides and prompting safety officials to warn people not to travel near mountainsides in wet weather until after freezing temperatures have set in.
Cooler runnings: UNIS students revive race of outrageous sleds as ‘unofficial’ event; could real thing return?
At first glance it looks like a collection of some slob’s shabby furniture held together with rope and scotch tape. But that’s impossible since it was built in 1974 and used in the bobsledding competition at the Olympics in Lillehammer.
Briefs from Svalbardposten for the week of May 10, 2016
Telenor hoping to provide 4G mobile for all of Svalbard
Providing 4G mobile broadband throughout Svalbard and surrounding sea areas is being proposed by Telenor Svalbard, whose officials suggest the upgrade is more about public safety than company profits.
Sky-high dreams: KHO, EISCAT officials hoping spacey students play big role in launching new research era
For university students seeking answers not likely to be asked on other campuses, here’s a biggie: How many can squeeze into the “wagon” of a snowcat for what may be the longest daily commute in Svalbard?
The answer appears to be 17, which fortunately is the same number in a group visiting the Kjell Henriksen Observatory (KHO) recently to study the Northern Lights and other atmospheric phenomena.
“That’s why I’m here, because it’s a passion,” said Katie Ann Herlingshaw, one of the students, in a Euronews story published last month. “This’ll give me some credits towards my PhD but I don’t really care about the credits, I’m here for the science, for the Northern Lights.”
Briefs from Svalbardposten for the week of Oct. 27, 2015
UNIS director stepping down during critical transition
Ole Arve Misund is stepping down as the director of The University Centre in Svalbard to become director of the National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research) as of Feb. 1.
Cracking up: Glacier calving controlled by water temperatures – yes, there was legit scientific doubt about it
Warmer water melts ice faster. It might not seem like a team of geniuses would be needed to determine that, but when it comes to glaciers there were some uncertainties.
Rocking their world: Scientists discover Svalbard’s mountains are at least 100X older than thought
It’d probably be a shock discovering your favorite young-looking rock star is actually a centenarian, so imagine how these scientists felt discovering the stars of the show were at least ten times times older than that.
