UK Arctic Research Station
Address
UK ARCTIC RESEARCH STATION9173 Ny-Ålesund
Svalbard
Station manager
Nick CoxE-mail: JmcAlister@auroracollege.nt.ca
Station Features
Opening year: 1991 Status: OpenFacilities
Station name and owner
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), UK, has funded the UK Arctic Research Station which is managed by the British Antarctic Survey.
Location
Ny-Ålesund, 78°55’ N, 11°56’ E is situated on the southern shore of Kongsfjord on the west coast of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago.
Climate data
Grey colours are WMO Climate Normals including maximum and minimum values. Blue colours are individual years.
Climate data for the stations where extracted via Copernicus Climate Data Store, from the global gridded reanalysis product: ERA5 monthly averaged data on single levels from 1940 to present. Description and source code: Roemer J.K. 2023. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10214922 Data Source: Hersbach et al. 2023. Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) Climate Data Store (CDS), https://doi.org/10.24381/cds.f17050d7
Biodiversity and natural environment
Due to the influence of the North Atlantic Current, the climate on the west coast of Spitsbergen is milder than any other locations at that latitude. The southern side of Kongsfjord, on which Ny-Ålesund is situated, has 50 km2 of tundra and alluvial plain. Glaciers and sea confine a plant protection area at the head of the fjord. Numerous glaciers of various types occur in the area. Most bird species found in Svalbard are represented in the area with barnacle geese, eiders, auks, terns, and kittiwakes nesting in large numbers. Land mammals include reindeer, fox, and the occasional polar bear. The local fjord is home to ringed, bearded and common seals, walrus, and beluga.
History and facilities
The UK has maintained a research station at Ny-Ålesund continuously since 1972. The NERC Arctic Research Station opened in1991. The station comprises 440 m2 of laboratory, workshop, and storage space plus single bedrooms. Additional accommodation can be provided by Kings Bay Company. The station provides laboratory, field equipment, telephone, computer facilities (fast web link), VHF radios, satellite telephones, firearms, and boats. Rental of snowmobiles for specific projects can be arranged.
General research and databases
The location is particularly suitable for ecological research, glacial/ periglacial geomorphology, hydrology, and atmospheric chemistry.
Station Monitoring
Human dimension
In 1991, Ny-Ålesund and the surrounding environment were designated as an area solely for scientific research. There are now 14 research stations owned by 10 nations. The Kings Bay Company provides a service infrastructure including air and sea link, power, water, buildings, and a dining facility. During the summer months, June to September, the population in Ny Ålesund reaches 150 persons. During the winter months it decreases to c. 25 persons.
Access
There are regular flights between Ny-Ålesund and Longyearbyen (30 minute flight) serviced by a 14 seat Dornier aircraft. Longyearbyen is served by scheduled flights from Norway. The northern shore and islands are easily accessible by boat.
