Permafrost, sediment and water sample analyses

• We have downloaded the data from the instruments installed in 2012, some of the instruments were replaced with new ones.
• We have established a new measuring station at 4600 m a.s.l. 10 and 35 cm in depths.
• At 6000 m a.s.l. an instrument measuring temperature and relative humidity was installed in a rock fissure.
• At 5260 m and 5830 m a.s.l. sediment samples were taken from the depths of the instruments in order to determine the porosity and the water retention capacity.
• The presence of buried and surface ice was mapped.
• Snow and firn density measurements were obtained from surface and buried layers.

The role of the wind

• Sediment traps were installed at 5300 (at this altitude we installed two sediment traps near sand layers) and 6000 m a.s.l. in order to investigate the aeolian (wind) sediment transport. We have received the material trapped in the instrument at 6000 m a.s.l. in 2015, analyses of this sample have been completed. 
• We have distinguished different types of megaripples on the field, which were investigated on satellite imagery beforehand, based on the different modes of their genesis. We have mapped the sites of sediment erosion and accumulation.
• The sand sheets which are covering firn and ice deposits were investigated.
• The possibility of debris sliding on frozen snow was inspected on the field.

High altitude lakes and their life system

• We have investigated the floors of the closed lake basins to investigate the properties enabling the formation of these water accumulations, sediment sampled were collected from here as well.
• Sediment and water samples were taken directly from the permanent and transient lakes in order to investigate the possibility of life in this environment.
• The springs and fumaroles feeding the transient lake in the side crater at 6500 m were observed directly. Water samples were taken from the water sources, sediment and ice samples were taken as well from this basin.