This project is part of a larger NSF project to better
understand and model glacier melt of debris-covered glaciers. Many glaciers in
Alaska are covered by debris especially at their lower parts. If the debris is
thin, glacier melt is amplified since the dark debris absorbs more solar heat,
but if the debris is thick (more than a few cm), the debris insulates the ice and
melting is suppressed. In this project a student will participate in fieldwork on
Kennicott Glacier, a heavily debris-covered glacier in the Wrangell Mountains
in central Alaska (9 hr drive from Fairbanks). We plan to install weather
stations and perform glacier mass balance measurements. One or two field trips
are planned during the REU period. In Fairbanks the student will work on a topic
related to the overall goals of the project. Topics may, for example, include
computing energy fluxes and melt over glacier ice, or remote sensing analyses
of debris cover and ice cliffs. Details and focus of the project will be
adjusted to your interests and background.
Lead instructors: Regine Hock (rehock@alaska.edu) Requirements A background in geophysics, physics, math, computer science,
engineering, or any other related field with at least some university level
math/science background is required. Programming skills (in Python or any other
programming language) are needed to handle and analyze data and make figures.
GIS and remote sensing experience are beneficial depending on the exact project
topic. A background in glaciology is helpful but not necessary.
What is required is an interest in glaciers and working with datasets. Good physical fitness is
needed to navigate long hikes over difficult terrain including hummocky debris-covered
glacier ice and to carry heavy equipment.For more information about the NSF
project and Kennicott Glacier (a heavily debris-covered glacier, photo above), see also: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1917536
https://glaciers.gi.alaska.edu/courses/summerschool/ |
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