Eroding islands, disappearing glaciers, lots of greenhouse gases
Kasatochi Island, pictured here one year after its 2008 eruption, is experiencing some of the fastest erosion on the planet, with about 3 feet of its muddy shoreline eaten away each day.
Photo by Ned Rozell.
The latest meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco in December 2011 featured hundreds of talks about Earth science, some of those relating to Alaska (and some of those comprehensible to a non-scientist). Here are a few items from the notebook I carried around the Moscone Center:
The giant waves of Lituya Bay
The largest splash wave ever recorded, in Southeast Alaska’s Lituya Bay, sheared a slope of trees and topsoil to a height of 1,740 feet above sea level.
Photo by Don Miller, U.S. Geological Survey.
One of the prettiest places in Southeast Alaska has felt some of nature’s most violent behavior.
Lituya Bay, on the Pacific coast about 100 miles southeast of Yakutat and 40 miles west of Glacier Bay, is the site of the largest splash wave ever recorded. In 1958, a magnitude 8.3 earthquake triggered a tremendous landslide into the ocean. The wave that followed reached 1,740 feet above sea level on a hill opposite the slide. The slide also triggered a wave more than 100 feet high that raced down the bay.
Glaciers no obstacle for Copper River and Northwestern Railway
The Million Dollar Bridge.
Photo by Ned Rozell.
Home of the trans-Alaska pipeline, Alaska has been the setting for a few epic engineering battles rendered against nature. The Million Dollar Bridge, spanning the lower Copper River, is a reminder of another improbable Alaska construction project.
Girls on Ice Calls for Applications: Due by Thursday, March 1st
Organizers announce that the Girls on Ice 2012 Expeditions are now accepting applications. The 2012 program includes two expeditions. The original North Cascades expedition on Mount Baker in Washington State will be held 29 July - 9 August 2012, and a new Alaska-based expedition will take place 15-25 July 2012.
Alaska Science Forum: Glaciers no obstacle for Copper River and Northwestern Railway
By nrozell [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu (Ned Rozell)
Home of the trans-Alaska pipeline, Alaska has been the setting for a few epic engineering battles rendered against nature. The Million Dollar Bridge, spanning the lower Copper River, is a reminder of another improbable Alaska construction project.
UAF researchers use drones to evaluate sea ice thickness at Nome and aid incoming tanker
Jan. 10, 2012
By Reba Lean
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
FAIRBANKS — Camera-equipped drones flew over Nome this week to help a Russian fuel tanker, the Renda, get a perspective on the sea ice near the town’s harbor.
Martin Truffer
- Glacier dynamics
- Subglacial processes
- Ice-ocean interaction
- Fast glacier flow
- Geophysical applications to glaciology
- Hot water drilling
- Numerical modeling
- Geophysical inverse methods
- Glasser, N. F., T.A. Scambos, J. Bohlander, M. Truffer, E. Pettit, and B.J. Davies (2011). From ice-shelf tributary to tidewater glacier: continued rapid recession, acceleration and thinning of Röhss Glacier following the 1995 collapse of the Prince Gustav Ice Shelf, Antarctic Peninsula. Journal of Glaciology, 57(203), 397-406. doi:10.3189/002214311796905578.
- Motyka, R. J., M. Fahnestock, M. Truffer, J. Mortensen, and S. Rysgaard. (2011). Submarine melting of the 1985 Jakobshavn Isbrae floating tongue and the triggering of the current retreat, J. Geophys. Res. - Earth Surface, 116(F1), doi:10.1029/2009JF001632.
- Amundson, J. M., M. Fahnestock, M. Truffer, J. Brown, M.P. Lüthi, and R. J. Motyka. (2010), Ice mélange dynamics and implications for terminus stability, Jakobshavn Isbræ, Greenland . J. Geoph. Res., Earth Surface, 115, F01005, doi:10.1029/2009JF001405.
- Amundson, J.M. and M. Truffer, (2010) A unifying framework for iceberg-calving models. Journal of Glaciology, 56(199), pp.822-830.
- Motyka, R. J., M. Fahnestock, and M. Truffer, (2010), Volume Change of Jakobshavn Isbræ, West Greenland: 1985 – 1997 – 2007. Journal of Glaciology, 56(198), 635-646.
- ¾¾West, M., C.F. Larsen, M. Truffer, S. O'Neel, and L. LeBlanc. (2010). Glacier microseismicity. Geology, 38(4), pp.319-322.
- Truffer, M. , R. J. Motyka, M. Hekkers, I. Howat, and M. King, (2009), Terminus dynamics at an advancing glacier: Taku Glacier, Alaska. Journal of Glaciology, 55(194), 1052-1060.
- Lüthi, M., M. Fahnestock, and M. Truffer, (2009). Calving icebergs indicate a thick layer of temperate ice at the base of Jakobshavn Isbræ, Greenland. Journal of Glaciology, 55(191), 563-565.
- Farinotti, D., M. Huss, A. Bauder. M. Funk, and M. Truffer (2009). A method to estimate the ice volume and ice-thickness distribution of alpine glaciers. Journal of Glaciology, 55(191), 422-430.
- Avdonin, S., V. Kozlov, D. Maxwell, and M. Truffer. (2009). Iterative methods for solving a nonlinear boundary inverse problem in glaciology. Journal of Inverse and Ill-posed Problems, 17(3), 239-258, doi:10.1515/JIIP.2009.018.
- Thost, D.E. and M. Truffer (2008). Glacier recession on Heard Island, southern Indian Ocean. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research , 40(1), 199-214.
- Ritchie, J.B., C. Lingle, R.J. Motyka, and M. Truffer (2008). Seasonal fluctuations in the advance of a tidewater glacier and potential causes: Hubbard Glacier, Alaska, USA. Journal of Glaciology , 54 (186), 401-411.
- Maxwell, D., M. Truffer, S. Avdonin, and M. Stuefer (2008). An iterative scheme for determining glacier velocities and stresses. Journal of Glaciology , 54 (188), 888-898
- Joughin, I., I.M. Howat, M. Fahnestock, B. Smith, W. Krabill, R.B. Alley, H. Stern, and M. Truffer (2008). Continued evolution of Jakobshavn Isbræ following its rapid speedup. Journal of Geophysical Research , 113 (F04006) doi:10.1029/2008JF001023.
- Joughin, I., I.M. Howat, R.B. Alley, D.L. Egholm, M. Fahnestock, T. Moon, M. Nettles, M. Truffer, and V. Tsai (2008). Ice-front variation and tidewater behavior on Helheim and Kangerdlugssuaq Glaciers, Greenland. J. Geophys. Res., 113(F1), pp.1-11.
- Kanamori, S., C.S. Benson, M. Truffer, S. Matoba, D.J. Solie, and T. Shiraiwa (2008). Seasonality of snow accumulation at Mount Wrangell, Alaska, USA. Journal of Glaciology , 54 (185), 273-278.
- Harrison, W. D., R.J. Motyka, M. Truffer, O. Eisen, M.T. Moran, C.F. Raymond, M. Fahnestock, and M. Nolan (2008). Glacier, fjord, and seismic response to recent large calving events, Jakobshavn Isbrae, Greenland. Geophys. Res. Lett , 35, L22501, doi:10.1029/2008GL03528..
- Boyce, E.S., R.J. Motyka, and M. Truffer (2007). Flotation and retreat of lake-calving terminus, Mendenhall Glacier, southeast Alaska, USA. Journal of Glaciology , 53 (181), 211-224.
- Benson, C.S., R.J. Motyka, S. McNutt, M. Lüthi, M. Truffer (2007). Glacier-volcano interactions in the North Crater of Mt Wrangell, Alaska. Annals of Glaciology , 45, 48-57.
- ŸŸMotyka, R.J. and M. Truffer, (2007). Hubbard Glacier, Alaska: 2002 closure and outburst of Russell Fjord and postflood conditions at Gilbert Point. J. Geophys. Res., 112(F2), pp.1-15.
- Truffer, M. and M. Fahnestock (2007). Rethinking Ice Sheet Time Scales. Science , 315 1508-1509. doi:10.1126/science.11404.
Vladimir Romanovsky
- Academic Secretary of the Committee: “The Geophysical Methods of Research in the Field of Engineering
- Geology, Hydrogeology, and Geocryology”, Geophysical Research Board of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR (Russia), 1986-1992
- Award (Medal) from the Russian Government for the Baikal-Amur Railroad construction, 1984.
- Member of the RAISE (Russian-American Initiative on Shelf-Land Environments in the Arctic) International Steering Committee, 1996-2006
- Member of the IPA Working Groups “Inland and Offshore Permafrost” and “Global Change and Permafrost,” 1998-present
- Director of the RAISE (Russian-American Initiative on Shelf-Land Environments in the Arctic) Science Management Office, OPP NSF, 1999-2002
- Member of the International Heat Flow Commission (IHFC), 1999-present
- Member of the “Task Force on Climate Change, Permafrost and Civil Infrastructure” of the US Arctic Research Commission, 2001-2004
- Member of the Arctic Climate System Study (ACSYS)/Climate and Cryosphere (CliC) Numerical Experimentation Group (NEG) of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), 2001- 2006
- Member of the NASA NEESPI Science Plane Writing Working Group, 2002- 2008
- Chair of the “Modeling of Permafrost” Subgroup of the International Permafrost Association (IPA), 2003-2008
- President-Elect of the US Permafrost Association (USPA), 2003-2004
- President of the US Permafrost Association (USPA), 2004-2005
- Past President of the US Permafrost Association (USPA), 2005-2006
- Member of the National Academies “Designing an Arctic Observing Network” Committee of the Polar Research Board, 2004 - 2006
- Member of the WMO/WCRP CliC scientific steering group (SSG), 2008-present
- 2007 Terris and Katrina Moore Prize, University of Alaska, 2008
- Member of the Executive Committee of the International Permafrost Association, 2008 - present
- Member of the Technical Working Group on Public Infrastructure (Adaptation), Alaska Governor’s Climate Change Sub-Cabinet, 2008 - 2010
- Member of the US Polar Research Board, 2008 – present
- Member of the Executive Committee of the WMO/WCRP CliC scientific steering group (SSG), 2010-present
- 2011 Usibelli Award for Research, University of Alaska, 2011
- Professor of Geophysics, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Alaska (2006 – Present)
- Associate Professor of Geophysics, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Alaska (1999 – 2006)
- Research Associate Professor, Geophysical Institute, U of Alaska Fairbanks, Alaska (1998 – 1999)
- Research Associate, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Alaska (1996 – 1998)
- Research Assistant, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Alaska (1992 – 1996)
- Associate Professor of Geophysics and Geocryology, Moscow State University (1985 – 1992)
- Science Researcher, Department of Geocryology, Moscow State University, Russia (1980 – 1985)
- Geophysicist, Faculty of Geology, Moscow State University, Russia (1975 – 1980)
I am interested in the scientific and practical aspects of environmental and engineering problems involving ice and permafrost. These include problems in the areas of soil physics, thermodynamics, heat and mass flow, and growth and decay processes that are associated with permafrost, subsea permafrost, seasonally frozen ground, and seasonal snow cover. I am also interested in the improvement of mathematical methods (analytical and numerical modeling) in geology and geophysics.
Reginald Muskett
I am applying satellite geodesy techniques and developing mathematical methods for determining the changes of the Northern Hemisphere permafrost regions. My interests in science and mathematics covers topics in Geophysics (Gravity, Geomagnetic Fields and Meteorology), Planetary Sciences and applications of Inverse Theory, Harmonic and Numerical Analysis. Since I was a young student in Alabama, I had interests in Astronomy and Mathematics, in part due to the writings of Carl Sagan and the NASA Mariner, Pioneer and Vikin
- Association of Polar Early Career Scientists
- American Geophysical Union
- European Geoscience Union
- International Association of Geodesy
- IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society
- International Permafrost Association
- U.S. Permafrost Association
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Geophysical Institute (Current)
- Graduate Research Assistant, (GI, UAF), 1999-2007
- Research Associate, Dept. of Geology, Univ. of Akron, Ohio, 1998-1999
- Senior Cartographer, Defense Mapping Agency, HTC, DoD, Bethesda MD, 1992-1994
- Physical Scientist, Defense Mapping Agency, HTC, DoD, Bethesda MD, 1985-1992
- Satellite Geodesy
- Geophysics
- Mathematics and Computer Science Applications in the Physical Sciences
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Muskett RR. 2012. Multi-Satellite and Sensor Derived Trends and Variation of Snow Water Equivalent on the High-Latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. International Journal of Geosciences. 3(1):1-13.
- Muskett RR, Romanovsky VE. 2011. Energy and mass changes of the Eurasian permafrost regions by multi-satellite and in-situ measurements. Natural Science. 3(10):827-836.
- Muskett RR. 2011. Non-stationary Drivers of Polar Sea Ice Area. Natural Science. 3(5):351-368.
- Muskett RR, Romanovsky VE. 2011. Alaskan Permafrost Groundwater Storage Changes from GRACE and Ground Measurements. Remote Sensing. 3:378-397.
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Muskett RR, Romanovsky VE. 2009. Groundwater storage changes in arctic permafrost watersheds from GRACE and in-situ measurements. Environ. Res. Lett. 4: 045009.
Roman Motyka
Motyka joined the Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, in 1997 after 16 years as senior geologist with the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Survey (ADGGS). At ADGGS, he first headed their geothermal program (which included studies on volcanoes), then later returned to his first love, glaciers, and headed ADGGS’ glacier hazards program. After joining GI-UAF, Motyka was involved in the Black Rapids Glacier drilling program, and helped characterize the subglacial till. Dr.
- (2011-Present) Research Professor, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks
- (1998-2010) Research Associate Professor, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks
- (1996-1998) Affiliate Faculty, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks
- (1995-Present) Affiliate Faculty, Environmental Sciences Program, University of Alaska Southeast
- (1981-1995) Senior Geologist/Geophysicist, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Juneau and Fairbanks
- (1979-1981) Geologist/Geophysicist, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Fairbanks
- (1966-1970) Physicist, Michelson-Morley Laboratory, U.S., Department of Navy, China Lake, California
- Motyka, R. J., M. Fahnestock, M. Truffer, J. Mortensen, and S. Rysgaard, 2011, Submarine melting of the 1985 Jakobshavn Isbrae floating tongue and the triggering of the current retreat, J. Geophys. Res. - Earth Surface, 116, doi:10.1029/2009JF001632.
- Motyka, R. J., M. Fahnestock, and M. Truffer, 2010, Volume Change of Jakobshavn Isbrae, West Greenland: 1985 – 1997 – 2007. Journal of Glaciology, 56(198), 635-646.
- Motyka, RJ, D Lawson, D Finnegan, G Kalli, B Molnia, and A Arendt, 2008. Hubbard Glacier update: another closure of Russell Fiord in the making? Journal of Glaciology, 54(186), 562-564.
- Motyka, RJ, and M Truffer, 2007. Hubbard Glacier, Alaska: 2002 Closure of Russell Fjord and implications for future dams. J. Geoph. Res., Earth Surface. 112, F02004, doi:10.1029/2006JF000475.
- Motyka, R.J., C.F. Larsen, J.T. Freymueller and K.A. Echelmeyer. 2007. Post Little Ice Age Glacial Rebound in Glacier Bay National Park and Surrounding Areas. Alaska Park Science, 6(1), 36-41.
- Motyka R. J., M. Truffer, E. M. Kuriger, A. K. Bucki, 2006., Rapid erosion of soft sediments by tidewater glacier advance: Taku Glacier, Alaska, USA, Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L24504, doi:10.1029/2006GL028467.
- Motyka, RJ, L Hunter, K Echelmeyer, and C Connor, 2003. Submarine melting at the terminus of a temperate tidewater glacier, LeConte Glacier, Alaska. Annals of Glaciology, 36, 57-65.
- Motyka, RJ, 2003. Post little ice age uplift at Juneau, Alaska reconstructed from dendrochronology and geomorphology. Quatern. Res., 59, 300-309.
- Motyka, R. J. and Echelmeyer, K. A.., 2003. Taku Glacier on the move again: Active deformation of proglacial sediments. Journal of Glaciology, 10(164), 50-59.
