Investigation of iceberg dynamics in Isfjorden, RiS ID 11043

This project will seek to provide in situ observations of the induced eddy viscosity around icebergs by using an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The other project objective is to investigate the stability and 3D dynamics of icebergs with inertial motion units (IMUs) and the ROV, in order to develop a safe methodology for iceberg towing. This is a novel approach as until now mostly GPS trackers, that give information about iceberg drift, but not iceberg 3D dynamics, were used. Both turbulence induced eddy viscosity and iceberg stability related to towing processes are central topics in my PhD thesis. Insight in these problems can be gained from numerical models and laboratory experiments, but field observations are necessary to validate model results. A new contribution of this study is the use of advanced measurement equipment. The ADCP will give us turbulence quantities in a vertical array behind the moving iceberg, the IMU will give a full description of iceberg motion, and the ROV will provide a detailed picture of the iceberg subsurface geometry and centre off mass, which will enable us to perform towing in a safer way than what has previously been done.