
Hazards
Extreme events and abrupt changes to the climate system
About the Research Group
We focus on understanding the causes and dynamics of extreme events and abrupt changes in the climate system.
Including identifying critical thresholds, understanding how such events develop, and what consequences they have.
Furthermore, we are working towards improving predictions of the likelihood, extent and impact of climate hazards, and are collaborating with stakeholders in private and public sectors.
The Research Group
Marius Årthun
Forskningsleder/ Research leader - Polar, UiB
Mari Skuggedal Myksvoll
Forsker / Researcher - Climate Hazards, Havforskningsinstituttet
Marianna Anichini
Postdoc - Climate Hazards, UiB

Research questions
- How will gradual climate change and thresholds in the climate system impact the frequency and severity of climate hazards?
- How does internal climate variability contribute and influence the extremes? How does model bias influence the prediction of extremes?
- Will the current committed warming trigger abrupt changes in sea level rise due to ice sheet collapse?
- What can we learn from extreme events, circulation changes, and warm climates of the past?
- To what extent can society and industry adapt to extreme events, including flooding, sea level high stands, landslides and storms?
Research leader and co-leader
Stijn De Schepper
Forsker / Research Professor - Climate Hazards, NORCE
Mari Fjalstad Jensen
Forsker / Researcher - Climate Hazards, Havforskningsinstituttet
Strategiske prosjekter

Climate change and sustainability in Norwegian fjords
The anthropogenic pressure on Norwegian fjords is increasing, and there are repeated reports on deteriorating conditions in the deep fjord basins. Meanwhile, climate trends in the offshore waters affect the renewal of these deep-basin waters.
To sustainably manage our fjords, we need to understand how present and past changes in the physical and geo-chemical environment impact the fjord ecosystem.
The main objective of CLIFORD is to study how climate change will alter the carrying capacity of Norwegian fjords and improve modelling tools.

Sea level projection and reconstruction unit
The project SeaPR is the new sea level prediction and reconstruction unit at Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research.
We will provide and increase confidence in sea level predictions and projections for more informed decision making.
Selected projects

Sea level projection and reconstruction unit
The project SeaPR is the new sea level prediction and reconstruction unit at Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research.
We will provide and increase confidence in sea level predictions and projections for more informed decision making.

Climate change and sustainability in Norwegian fjords
The anthropogenic pressure on Norwegian fjords is increasing, and there are repeated reports on deteriorating conditions in the deep fjord basins. Meanwhile, climate trends in the offshore waters affect the renewal of these deep-basin waters.
To sustainably manage our fjords, we need to understand how present and past changes in the physical and geo-chemical environment impact the fjord ecosystem.
The main objective of CLIFORD is to study how climate change will alter the carrying capacity of Norwegian fjords and improve modelling tools.