The World We Live In: Ice Researcher
Dream Jobs: Ice researcher
By Tessa Sternberg, Newsela Staff on 07.31.20
In September 2019, Ian Raphael boarded a research ship that would be his home for the next six months. Along with 60 other scientists, he was headed towards the North Pole to study the ice and snow around the Arctic Ocean. The ship was designed to navigate the frigid waters and break up thick ice that exists in the Arctic region.
The project, called the Multidisciplinary Drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC), is the largest polar expedition in history. The scientists took detailed measurements of ice and snow despite freezing temperatures and months of darkness. They hope to better understand how the Arctic climate has changed, and what it will look like in 10 years.
Raphael disembarked the ship in March 2020. He returned to the ship to finish the fourth leg of the expedition in May. Newsela talked to Raphael to learn more about the trip.
Q: How did you end up in the Arctic? Ian Raphael: I am studying engineering at Dartmouth. I knew I wanted to study the cryosphere, which is the frozen water on Earth’s surface, like ice
and glaciers, and a professor recommended I join the icebreaker cruise. At the time, I hadn’t any idea what I was getting into, but I’m endlessly thankful now.
Q: What were you studying and measuring?
Raphael: On the ship, we measured physical properties like ice thickness, snow depth, density, temperature and how the ice is changing shape. We’re especially interested in how the ice changes over time, like how fast it grows in winter or how fast it melts in summer. We used a tool called LiDar , which uses a laser to take pictures of the snow surface and helps us study how the snow moves around. Snow is important for the ice because in the winter, it acts like a blanket, keeping the ice warm and preventing it from growing, and in the summer, the bright surface of the snow reflects sunlight and prevents the ice from melting. Different kinds of snow have different properties that affect its ability to insulate and reflect.
Q: How did you prepare for the journey?
Raphael: Each of us had to take a basic seamanship course. The course teaches things like survival at sea, how to work in arctic conditions and first aid. We also had science workshops, helicopter safety classes and lessons on how to use rifles so we could stand watch for polar bears. Finally, our team had to prepare all our personal gear and 1 ton of scientific equipment.
Q: What did an average day look like for you on the ship?
Raphael: It’s tough to describe an average day, as the weather conditions, wildlife and equipment decided what we were able to do. There were days we couldn’t be on the ice because a polar bear wanted to explore camp. On a perfect day, we would have breakfast and a morning meeting at 7:30 a.m. Then we would head outside and begin collecting data. The environment is harsh and the work is hard, but the Arctic environment is gorgeous. We drilled holes in the ice to take ice samples that we would then study. We also used a variety of tools including handheld radios, flying weather balloons, remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) and helicopters. We worked on the ice until 5:30 p.m. and then had dinner. At the beginning of each leg of the trip, we would get fresh vegetables and fruit, but that disappeared pretty quickly. We mostly ate foods that don’t spoil as fast, like eggs, pickled vegetables, meat and potatoes. After dinner we looked at the day’s data, prepared our equipment and got ready for the next day. Then we might head straight to bed, talk to friends or watch a movie. Every day was a work day, but we usually slept in on Sunday mornings.
Q: You were so far north that you did not have sunlight for awhile, even during the day. What was that like?
Raphael: Complete darkness lasted about five months, from late October 2019 through March 14, 2020. Darkness became normal. I don’t think it affected my mood much because we had such a strict schedule. Without our headlamps and the lights on the ship, we could hardly see. Every month, the full moon rose bright enough to read and play in. Stars were always out. Seeing the sun again was strange, but it also felt like we had returned home.
Q: What did you do for fun?
Raphael: The work was the best part. It was hard work, but the environment is beautiful. We were surrounded by friends and we got to ski and fly weather balloons and helicopters. Even when the weather was awful and things went wrong, we could still laugh and try again tomorrow.
Q: Why is studying snow and ice important?
Raphael: Arctic sea ice plays a critical role in the climate of the Arctic and the whole world. The ice reflects sunlight back into the atmosphere, which is the layers of gases that surrounds our planet, keeping the poles cool. Yet as the Arctic gets warmer, the sea ice melts. This means that there are fewer bright surfaces to reflect the sunlight, and instead, the sunlight is absorbed into the ocean. This warms ocean temperatures and delays the growth of ice in the fall and winter. Melting sea ice also affects the rest of the Earth, contributing to a rise in average global temperatures and a rise in sea levels. There’s still so much more for us to learn. The fieldwork is only the first part of the expedition. Once the team returns, we’ll start analyzing the data we collected to better understand the importance of the Arctic environment.
Q: What are your plans after the expedition is over?
Raphael: I still need to finish my master’s degree. I’m excited for a career in field science. I’ve always wanted to go to the moon. I’ve heard it’s a lot like the Arctic.