Cryosphere Geophysics and Remote Sensing
The CryoGARS group is housed within the Geosciences Department at Boise State University, and focuses on answering scientific questions about the snow and ice covered areas of the world (the Cryosphere) research includes quantifying the spatial variability of snow properties using ground-based microwave radar and snow micropenetrometry, improving estimates of snow properties from airborne and satellite-based radar, detection of oil spills under sea ice with radar, quantifying lateral flow of water within the snowpack, and detection of avalanches with infrasonics.
The cryoGARS Lab encompasses both Dr. Ellyn Enderlin's and Dr. HP Marshall's labs. Dr. Enderlin's lab focuses on understanding the response of glaciers and ice sheets to past, present, and future climate change. Dr. Marshall's lab focuses on spatial variability in snow and its effect on remote sensing, snow hydrology, and snow avalanches.
Current News & Announcements
Hannah Wittman, researcher with CRREL, sits on a snowmobile loaded with field gear in Grand Mesa, CO, as part of a research campaign with the NASA SNOWWI project.
NASA's SNOWWI Mission on the Grand Mesa
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. Snow scientists from NASA and Boise State University were up on the Grand Mesa testing new radar technology to monitor snow cover Thursday, which is a part of NASA's SnowEx campaign. According to NASA, "No single satellite-borne sensor has been demonstrated to accurately measure all of the planet's snow water equivalent." The team of snow scientists gathered on the Grand Mesa from their base of operations, the Grand Mesa Lodge, to work with aircraft... (click here to continue reading on KKCO News).
In situ measurements: paired with airborne ones in the Canadian high artic in 2016 were part of a US-Canada effort to test methods for measuring water content in snow.
Extreme Weather Makes Monitoring Snowpack Increasingly Relevant
What do salmon, hydroelectric power, and agriculture have in common? They all depend on snowmelt. So do floods and wildfires. "We are seeing more fires because the snow is melting earlier," says Ana Barrow, an engineering professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, recalling how swaths of the US were shrouded in smoke from the record fires in Canada this past summer... (click here to continue reading on Physics Today).
Poster Titled Ice Flow Acceleration During Glacier Surges in The St. Elias Mountain Range, Jukes Liu.
Graduate Student Showcase Awards!
A big congratulations to graduate students Jukes Liu, Greg Shafer, and Karina Zikan, for receiving College of Arts and Sciences awards for their Graduate Student Showcase presentations. Jukes was awarded the Top Honor for her poster titled “Ice flow acceleration during glacier surges in the St. Elias mountain range”. Greg and Karina both won Dean’s awards... (click here to continue reading on Boise State website).
SnowEx research at Lower Deer Point, Hp Marshall and Geophysics students conducting snow research during helicopter flyover, John Kelly photo.
Hans Peter (HP) Marshall, an associate professor of geosciences, recently received $1 million from the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory to advance snow monitoring using optical, microwave, acoustic, and seismic techniques... (click here to continue reading on Boise State website).
Chris McCaslin, Ph.D. candidate in Geosciences, presenting his research focused on developing an ultrasound laser for CryoGARS research.
Geophysics PhD student wins fellowship to work with the Department of Defense
Chris McCaslin, a PhD student in the Department of Geosciences under advisors, Dylan Mikesell and HP Marshall accepted a Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) fellowship... (click here to continue reading on Boise State website).
HP Marshall on a field day taking data for the NASA SnowEx mission. SnowEx is a project testing techniques and instrumentation for mapping snow water equivalent.
The Hill highlights geoscience student and faculty for snow and water research
Geoscience faculty HP Marshall, Jeff Johnson and doctoral student Naheem Adebisi recently made national news for their Cryosphere Geophysics and Remote Sensing research... (click here to continue reading on the Boise State website).
Work in cryoscience requires accessing remote field sites in winter. Zaxh Hoppinen (middle) and advisor HP Marshall (left) visit their instruments with skis.
Listen: Boise State researchers record world's loudest sound since 1883, Hunga Tonga eruption
Doctoral geophysics student Zach Keskinen deployed specialized microphones near Stanley, Idaho to understand how sensors buried in the snowpack affect the character of recorded sounds... (click here to continue reading on the Boise State website).
DEI Statement
At CryoGARS, we are committed to fostering an environment that values and celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that a diverse community of scientists enriches our collective knowledge and enhances our ability to address complex scientific challenges.
Our commitment to diversity encompasses all walks of life. We recognize that each individual brings unique perspectives and experiences that contribute to the richness of our scientific community.
We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable space where every member feels valued, respected, and supported. We strive to eliminate barriers to participation and advancement within our group, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of differences, have equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in their scientific pursuits.