Beneath the thick ice of a remote Lapland lake, a group of researchers prepares to plunge into a world few have witnessed. With only a small opening carved into the 70cm-thick ice, the divers descend into the near-freezing depths, tethered to the surface by safety ropes. Their mission: to master ice diving techniques crucial for studying the rapidly changing Arctic and Antarctic environments.
A Harsh and Otherworldly Realm
Marine biology graduate Sophie Kalkowski-Pope is among the divers braving these icy waters. Clad in a dry suit, she anticipates the numbing shock of the freezing temperatures as she enters the inky depths. Even with thermal gear, dexterity is quickly lost, limiting dives to around 30 minutes. Strict safety protocols are in place: divers use a rope system to communicate with surface handlers, and a standby diver remains ready for emergencies.
“This is like an upside-down world,” says Perry Brandes, a Florida-based commercial diver. “You look up and see light filtering through the ice, like gazing at a distant city.” These glimmers guide divers back to safety in an environment where mistakes can be fatal.
Diving for Science
The ice-diving course, held in Kilpisjärvi, Finland, is more than a test of endurance. For the 12 participants, already skilled divers, this is a stepping stone to conducting scientific research in the polar regions. With the Arctic warming four times faster than the global average, understanding the implications of melting ice is vital.
"There are only a few hundred people in the world qualified to do polar base diving work," says Edd Stockdale of the Finnish Scientific Diving Academy. "We need more experts to monitor these critical changes."
Revealing a Changing Underwater World
Scientific diving under the ice provides invaluable data. Researchers can directly observe shifts in ice thickness, temperature, and marine life. In 2017, a University of Helsinki team, led by marine researcher Alf Norkko, discovered significant ecological changes under the Antarctic ice. Increased sunlight penetration, due to thinning ice, had led to surges in plankton and algae, altering entire underwater ecosystems.
Other studies, such as those conducted near Svalbard and the West Antarctic Peninsula, have shown how rising temperatures affect kelp forests and cause more frequent iceberg collisions with the seabed, devastating marine habitats.
The Challenges and Risks of Ice Diving
Ice diving is not without dangers. Freezing regulators, tangled safety lines, and even curious seals blocking exit holes pose serious threats. To mitigate risks, divers meticulously plan every descent. "It's like cave diving – you can't just surface anywhere," explains Finnish explorer Pata Degerman. “Your exit must always be within reach.”
Training includes handling equipment malfunctions, such as air regulators freezing and delivering uncontrolled airflows. Divers also endure cold shock upon entering the water, as they don’t use full-face masks due to safety concerns. “It was a unique experience to feel the freezing water on my face for the first time,” says Kalkowski-Pope.
The Human Touch in Scientific Exploration
Despite advancements in robotics and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), human divers remain irreplaceable in scientific fieldwork. Unlike ROVs, which have a limited field of vision and can miss crucial details, human divers can adapt, explore, and interact with marine life. “Animals actually look at us,” notes Brandes. “There’s a level of connection you don’t get with machines.”
A Race Against Time
As polar ice continues to melt, the urgency of climate research grows. Scientists like Norkko stress the importance of gathering real-time data to guide policy decisions. "Climate change is outpacing our knowledge," he warns. "We must keep science at the forefront."
Yet, beyond the data and urgency, there’s an undeniable allure to this extreme research. “There’s an element of adventure,” admits Norkko. “We’re drawn back time and time again to the dark, frozen world beneath the ice.”