Over the Circle

[Photo by Marc Lanteigne] by Mingming Shi 1) As RÚV reported, the discovery of micro-plastics within Vatnajökull, the biggest glacier in Europe, in Iceland, has been confirmed, based on latest research. The Hofsjökull glacier in the country was also found to contain microscopic plastic debris. Einar Jón Ásbjörnsson, one of the scientists behind the study,… Continue reading Arctic News Roundup: 26 April – 2 May →

Spring arriving in Reykjavík [Photo by Mingming Shi] by Mingming Shi 1) The London-based Council on Geostrategy published a paper by Professor Klaus Dodds on the release of Britain's newest Integrated Review statement, which included issues relating to the Polar Regions, in March of this year. As Prof Dodds explained, Britain maintains considerable interests both… Continue reading Arctic News Roundup: 19-25 April →

[Photo by Marc Lanteigne] by Mingming Shi 1) As the Asahi Shimbun reported, Japan has announced plans to build another icebreaker this year to further develop the country's Arctic research. The project will be overseen by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), and the organisation is estimating that the vessel will enter… Continue reading Arctic News Roundup: 12-18 April →

Greenland's Parliament chamber (Inatsisartut) [Photo via the Greenland Parliament website] by Mingming Shi How Does the Greenlandic Parliamentary Election System Work? Greenland is one of the two autonomous territories, (the other being the Faroe Islands), within the Kingdom of Denmark, and its form of government is representative democracy, based on the results of elections to… Continue reading Explainer: The Greenland Parliamentary Elections – 2021 →

Rigorous snowfall measurement research conducted by Mingming Shi [Photo by Steingrimur Jón Guðjónsson] by Mingming Shi 1) While many continue to watch the Fagradalsfjall volcano, the Icelandic news service RÚV reported that the volume of snowfall in the country during the 2020-21 winter season was at its lowest level in forty-four years, with many regions… Continue reading Arctic News Roundup: 5-11 April →