Department of Geography and PlanningIce, Climate, & Environment Laboratory (ICELab)
Research focus
Under enhanced Arctic warming the glaciers of the Canadian Arctic have become a significant contributor to global sea-level rise. The ICELab research program aims to improve our understanding of glacier-climate processes and ice dynamics in the high Arctic as a means to enhance our capacity to detect and project future glacier response.
The ICELab team uses a combination of remote sensing and modelling approaches that are enhanced by field-based measurements on Canadian Arctic glaciers.
Background
The Ice, Climate, & Environment Laboratory (ICELab) is a glacier research group dedicated to long-term glacier monitoring and investigations into the central processes driving glacier changes. Our team uses a combination of field-based, remote sensing, and modelling approaches to identify and monitor processes impacting glacier mass balance and ice dynamics, particularly in the polar regions.
Alongside individual research projects, ICELab maintains one of Canada’s oldest glacier monitoring programs at White Glacier on Axel Heiberg Island. In collaboration with the Parks Canada Nunavut Field Unit, we are working towards sustainable glacier monitoring practices in Auyuittuq National Park (Baffin Island) and Sirmilik National Park (Bylot Island).
Dr. Laura Thomson
Assistant Professor
Queen's Department of Geography and Planning
Email: l.thomson@queensu.ca
Recent Articles
Date Published: Jun 16, 2021
Supporting student research in the North
Graduate and undergraduate students have been a central part of sustaining glacier research activities..
Learn more about student research
![[Summer 2019 on Baby Glacier with Wolf Peak in the background. Back, left to right: Jeremiah Lee, Braden Smeda, Tim Hill. Front: Laura Thomson, Dorota Medryzcka.]](/geographyandplanning/icelab/sites/icelwww/files/styles/featured_news_feed/public/uploaded_images/news/news_201907.jpg?h=b1392f08&itok=I7WV0brR)
Date Published: Jul 16, 2019
Summer 2019 Fieldwork on Axel Heiberg Island
Another successful field season on Axel Heiberg Island!...
Learn more about summer 2019 fieldwork
![[AG-340 fieldwork. Photo: Aga Nowak/UNIS.]](/geographyandplanning/icelab/sites/icelwww/files/styles/featured_news_feed/public/uploaded_images/news/news_201906.jpg?h=a6c49293&itok=2MivlofA)
Date Published: Jun 15, 2019
Students accepted to UNIS summer school
Congratulations to Dana Stephenson and Braden Smeda...
Learn about UNIS summer school acceptance
Partners and Supporters
ICELab is grateful for the opportunity to base this research at the McGill Arctic Research Station and work in collaboration with other research teams at MARS. Our field activities would not be possible without the logistical support provided through the NRCAN Polar Continental Shelf Program.