Bound for Greenland: The CASCADES Expedition

CASCADES is an international polar expedition aimed at understanding the accelerated melting of Greenland's glaciers and its impacts on the global climate. On board the research icebreaker CCGS Amundsen, Canadian (from the CFREF-funded Transforming Climate Action program), French, Swiss, and Greenlandic scientists will study the Arctic from every angle: ice, water, air, and land. INQ is proud to be a partner in this initiative.

Phase A begins this summer. From August 6 to September 3, 2026, the ship will sail from Iqaluit to the Pituffik Space Base, traveling along the west coast of Greenland (Ilulissat, Uummannaq, Kullorsuaq, Qaanaaq, and the Humboldt and Petermann glaciers) to conduct oceanographic and terrestrial sampling. Jean-Éric Tremblay, INQ’s Science Director, will serve as the chief scientist for this mission.

This first phase aims to study Greenland’s various fjord-glacier systems as well as the marine and coastal ecosystems of the Nares Strait. In particular, the teams will conduct groundbreaking work on poorly understood whale populations: samples collected from their blow will allow for DNA analysis to better understand their genetic diversity. The continuous collection of greenhouse gases in the water and atmosphere is also on the agenda. Ultimately, this research seeks to improve our understanding of the interactions between the ocean, glaciers, marine mammals, and the ecosystems of the Nares Strait and Greenlandic waters.

Follow the expedition!

Don't miss any behind-the-scenes action from this captivating scientific mission. Dive into the heart of the Arctic by visiting the official CASCADES website and subscribing to their Instagram account.