What would it be like to spend the winter on an icebreaker frozen into the Arctic ice cap?

UGA Skidaway Institute researcher Chris Marsay will discuss what he experienced while conducting climate change research in the winter of 2020 in a special Evening @ Skidaway presentation. The program, titled “Four months in the ice: Arctic science during a pandemic,” will be presented virtually via YouTube on Tuesday, March 23, at 7 p.m.

Marsay was member of a large, international team collecting data on climate change in the Arctic. They were on board a German icebreaker that had been intentionally frozen into the Arctic icecap to serve as a research station. His stay was extended by several weeks by the COVID-19 pandemic, which exploded while Marsay and his colleagues were isolated on board the ship, and prevented his return to the U.S. His experiences included dealing with frigid cold weather and 24-hour darkness, and serving as a polar bear guard to protect his fellow researchers from the dangerous predator.

To join the March 23 program, visit the UGA Skidaway Institute YouTube channel. The program is open to the general public and free of charge.

For additional information, contact Michael Sullivan at (912) 598-2325.