Ice Fluid Dynamics Lab
at Dartmouth
Snow and Ice Mechanics
The Ice Fluid Dynamics Lab, led by Dr. Colin Meyer, studies ice and snow processes from Earth to the edges of the solar system. We do this through modeling, experimentation, observational analysis, and field work. Our group is made of up-and-coming scientists from several different disciplines, tying together applied math, engineering, machine learning, Earth sciences, and planetary science. We are proud to collaborate with the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) in Hanover, NH and with research and educational institutions around the world.
The Ice Fluid Dynamics Lab respects and champions diversity, equity, and inclusion within our group and our communities.
We acknowledge that Dartmouth College sits on the land of the Abenaki native peoples, and we work and live here with gratitude.
Active Research
Our lab studies many aspects of ice, snow, glaciers, and brines both on Earth and in the far reaches of the solar system. Group members come from diverse educational backgrounds, including geophysics, planetary science, astrobiology, civil engineering, mathematics, and more.
Click through the carousel to see some examples of current research projects!
Ice and Climate Seminars
Join us on Fridays for the Ice and Climate Seminars hosted by Colin!
For dates, times, and the list of speakers, visit https://sites.google.com/dartmouth.edu/ice-climate
Team News
March 18, 2024: IFDL represents at LPSC
Last week, PhD student Tara Tomlinson and summer intern Ben Siew attended the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston, TX. Tara gave a talk entitled "Effects of Brine Concentration on Porosity and Flexural Strength of Planetary Ices", and Ben presented a poster on his summer project with Jacob and Tara looking at characterizing habitability of Europa and Enceladus brines.
LPSC is one of the largest planetary science conferences in the US and brings in scientists from all over the world.
Past News
March 9, 2024: Group retreat to VINS
On Saturday, the Ice Fluid Dynamics Lab took a trip to the Vermont Institute of Natural Science to enjoy some sunshine, hiking, and raptor viewing! The day also included a pub lunch and visiting an alpaca herd!
February 13, 2024: New Publications Alert!
The Ice Fluid Dynamics Lab has several new papers out!
Aaron Stubblefield with Colin Meyer and Martin Wearing, "Linear Analysis of Ice-Shelf Topography Response to Basal Melting and Freezing", Proceedings of the Royal Society A, September 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2023.0290)
Ayobami Ogunmolasuyi with Andrii Murdza (group affiliate) and Ian Baker, "The Onset of Recrystallization in Polar Firn", Geophysical Research Letters, December 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL103435)
Joanmarie Del Vecchio (group affiliate) with Marisa Palucis and Colin Meyer, "Permafrost Extent Sets Drainage Density in the Arctic", Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, February 2024 (https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2307072120)
September 22, 2022: Kasia wins IoP Early Career Lecturer Award!
Congratulations to our postdoc Kasia Warburton on winning this year's Institute of Physics (IoP) Early Career Lecturer Award for her talk on "Subglacial Soft Matter" at the 6th Edwards Symposium - Soft Matter for the 21st Century! Each year the Symposium attempts to highlight the fast evolving and diverse nature of soft matter science. Materials in this category are those that are easily deformed by thermal fluctuations and external forces. These properties relate to many industrial and biological systems and puts soft matter at the centre of a wide range of disciplines. The science area has also led to many materials and processes for industry while also posing new fundamental problems.
August 23, 2022: Welcome new team members!
The Ice Fluid Dynamics Lab is coming back from summer break, and we're excited to welcome three new team members for the upcoming year! Head over to the Team Page to meet Kasia Warburton, Anna Valentine, and Aaron Stubblefield!
May 13, 2022: Earth on the Rocks at the Dartmouth Innovation and Technology Festival
Dartmouth's inaugural Innovation and Technology Festival hosted events, lectures, panels, and activities for the whole community focused on "discussing big issues, asking big questions, and exploring the art of the possible." One panel featured our own Dr. Colin Meyer, along with JPL planetary scientist Dr. Kevin Hand, Engineering professor Laura Ray, and former National Geographic CEO Tracy Wolstencroft, where they discussed the importance of snow and ice environments on Earth and on other planets. The panel covered topics like habitability, climate change, and robotic exploration, with a focus on emerging studies and technology.
May 6, 2022: Gearing up for Greenland!
Colin, Aleah, and Brita prepare equipment and instruments for field work on the Greenland ice sheet in July. Gear has to be shipped out months ahead of time to be ready for their arrival!
