High up in the western Canadian Arctic lies the Canadian research icebreaker Amundsen, more specifically some forty kilometers to the south of Banks Island.  The research icebreaker is currently wintering in the area as it provides the means as a floating scientific lab for hundreds of scientists from across the globe.  The Amundsen is a key player for the international scientific program the International Polar Year (running from March 2007-2009) and the Canadian-led Circumpolar Flaw Lead System Study (October 2007-August 2008).

Remaining in the area till August, the Amundsen enables researchers to study flaw leads (open water formations between the coastline and the thick Arctic ice pack) an important element to understand the changing nature of this unique landscape. 

The icebreaker at a distance, scientific researchers in the foreground.                                                                                            Credit: Toronto Star

Veteran scientific reporter Peter Calamai is currently on-board the icebreaker till early April and has an ongoing blog depicting interesting aspects of his stay.

http://thestar.blogs.com/arctic/