Affiliations
Snow Ice and Permafrost Group

Dr. Petrich is a geophysicist at the Geophysical Institute focusing on sea ice properties and processes. He uses satellite instruments (optical and IR), and airborne cameras to obtain a context for ground measurements and observations in coastal Alaska. Recent and ongoing work includes spring-time melt pond development, break-up and motion of coastal sea ice. 

Chris also studies growth and decay processes of sea ice and corresponding fluid dynamics modeling. Most recently, he developed an operational break-up forecast model for landfast sea ice in Barrow, Alaska, and tracked the evolution of the sea ice surface from the formation of snow dunes in winter to the development of melt ponds in summer. He is currently involved in an international effort to assess the fate of oil and contaminants in sea ice (JIP Oil in ice), and he is investigating the relationship between ice optics and biological activity in the ice in collaboration with Marcel Nicolaus at AWI and Rolf Gradinger at the UAF School of Fish.