Field Class visit to GRuMPS Sites, August 2026

Siân Thorpe on the University of Sheffield field class

As part of the University of Sheffield’s Polar and Alpine Change (PAC) field class to West Greenland this August, seven masters and one undergraduate student visited the GRuMPS sites in Kangerlussuaq. Led by Andrew Sole and Siân Thorpe, the field class provided hands-on training in geomorphology and contemporary field skills for glaciology, alongside student-led research projects and experience of setting up and living in an Arctic field camp. The accessibility of the GRuMPS seismometers close to Watson Bridge gave students the opportunity to see active research in the region.

Students building gauging station — PAC students hard at work building and installing their own gauging station. Photos: Siân Thorpe (left), Mae Fletcher (right)

Students installing gauging station — PAC students hard at work building and installing their own gauging station. Photos: Siân Thorpe (left), Mae Fletcher (right)

We were incredibly lucky to have beautiful weather throughout the trip, from the end of July to mid-August. As shown by our telemetered data, these conditions have resulted in increased runoff, with flashy discharge monitored by the students temporary gauging station.

Ice sheet margin — Beautiful sunny days and flashy discharge. Photo looking down at the river monitored by the students by Siân Thorpe (left). Graph showing discharge over this period by Andrew Sole (right).

Graph of river discharge — Beautiful sunny days and flashy discharge. Photo looking down at the river monitored by the students by Siân Thorpe (left). Graph showing discharge over this period by Andrew Sole (right).

Seismic station — Siân showing the PAC students the contents of a GRuMPS seismic installation. Photo: Mae Fletcher