II. Glacier-climate interactions
Glacier records contain a non-linear transformation of past climate. Our research is directed toward understanding climate-glacier interactions with the goal of using the glacier record to interpret patterns of past climate, necessary for predicting responses to future changes. We have developed models of snow accumulation and ablation; the models use upper atmospheric reanalysis data that are available over the entire world at 12-hour intervals on 180 km grid spacing. We have used the measurements and models to study climate and mass balance variations of Blue Glacier in the Olympic National Park in Western Washington, USA.

In collaboration with colleagues from Norway, we have adapted this approach to investigate climate and glacier variations in Scandinavia.

In a related study, we collaborated with colleagues from Nagoya University in Japan who study glaciers in the Himalaya. With them, we used radio echo-sounding methods to measure ice thickness of Khumbu and Lirung Glaciers in Nepal during May and June of 1999. These two glaciers are typical of the debris covered glaciers of Nepal. Our studies are motivated by the need to improve predictions of the response of these low-latitude glaciers to climate change.

We have also collaborated with Chilean colleagues and Eric Rignot (from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory) in a study of the Patagonian Icefields, which have been shrinking rapidly over the past century.

III. Basal processes at sub-freezing temperatures
Basal layers whose composition and mechanical properties differ markedly from that of overlying ice exist beneath many cold-based ice sheets and glaciers. These basal layers have important consequences for ice dynamics: (because high stress and temperature concentrate deformation there); for interpretation of ice cores (by limiting how close to the bed it is possible to obtain an undisturbed stratigraphic sequence); and for erosion and subsequent landform records left by past glaciations. In order to investigate the origin and properties of such layers, during the 1995-96 field season we excavated a 30-m long tunnel beneath Meserve Glacier, a small, cold-based alpine glacier on the south side of Wright Valley in Antarctica.

IV. Snow and avalanche related studies
Snow avalanches have a major impact on society, primarily through indirect costs associated with mitigation, litigation, insurance, and loss of both travel and business opportunities. I became interested in avalanches while working at Mt Cook National Park in New Zealand when it became clear that I should learn more about avalanches to increase my life expectancy. Over the past decade my students and I have worked with avalanche technicians at Snoqualmie Pass (in Western Washington) and the Milford Road (in New Zealand) to improve predictions of the timing, size and impact of snow avalanches.

Last Modified:3/072008

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