A partnership has been formed between SEARCH and the Developing Arctic Modeling and Observing Capabilities for Long-term Environmental Studies (DAMOCLES) program. The two programs share several scientific objectives including large-scale observations of the Arctic Ocean sea-ice cover and circulation and key atmospheric processes, integration and assimilation of observations with models, and assessment of environmental and human impacts. DAMOCLES is a European consortium of 47 institutions in 12 countries, working to develop an arctic atmosphere-ice-ocean observing system; the DAMOCLES Integrated Project (2005–2009) is supported by the European Union (E.U.) under its 6th Framework Programme.

The SEARCH for DAMOCLES (S4D) partnership was established to:

  • Coordinate across the Atlantic the scientific efforts to make systematic observations of atmospheric and oceanic variables in the Arctic and subarctic domain, including those of sea ice, so as to improve forecasting of the arctic marine and atmospheric environment, as well as projections of long-term trends;
  • Consolidate long-term observations required for documentation and modeling of change and in particular predictions of extreme climate events; and
  • Establish common European/U.S.databases and contribute to international programmes.

S4D Presentation at DAMOCLES General Assembly, November 2007, Oslo (PDF - 2.4 MB)

"SEARCH for DAMOCLES" activities are guided by five Working Groups

  • WG1: System Design/Observations and Integration – Guides synchronization of observing strategies, modeling and analysis approaches, and related activities.

  • WG2: Evaluation/Modeling and Understanding – Guides coordinated modeling projects, evaluation of model designs and parameterizations to improve modeling capability, and related activities.

  • WG3: Synthesis/Exploitation of Knowledge – Guides strategies for coordinated
    synthesis, dissemination, transfer, and utilization of research results, and related activities.

  • WG4: Response and Education/Outreach – Guides strategies for stakeholder-driven guidance of research activities, community-based observation networks, education and outreach activities, and related activities.

  • WG5: Data Management – Guides coordination of policies on data formats, catalogs, archives, and related activities.