Jason Amundson
Ph.D. student in geophysics

Geophysical Institute
903 Koyukuk Dr.
Fairbanks, AK 99775-7320
U.S.A.

Ph: +1 (907) 474-7443
e-mail: amundson@gi.alaska.edu		  
 
My current research is focusing on the dynamics of the rapid retreat and acceleration of Ilulissat Glacier (formerly known as Jakobshavn Isbræ) in West Greenland. Since the late 1990's Ilulissat Glacier, as well as several other large outlet glaciers of the Greenland Ice Sheet, has undergone dramatic thinning (~100 m), rapid acceleration (a doubling of the near-terminus velocities), and drastic terminus retreat (over 10 km). Ice sheet models are unable to account for these rapid changes, due to their inability to address mass loss due to calving and the resulting glacier response, thus raising concerns that current predictions of global sea level rise may be significantly too low. I am using velocity measurements, observations of calving and iceberg motion from timelapse imagery, climate station data, and tidal stage, to assess the mechanisms by which the ocean and atmosphere affect the flow of the glacier.

Some of the calving events at Ilulissat Glacier have been captured as high temporal-resolution timelapse imagery and stitched into quicktime videos. You can download a few of them here.

5 June 2007
5 June 2007 (with audio track)
17 August 2007

  
 
Publications		  
   

Amundson, J.M., M. Truffer, and M.P. Lüthi, 2006. Time-dependent basal stress conditions beneath Black Rapids Glacier, Alaska, inferred from measurements of ice deformation and surface motion. J. Glaciol., 52(178), 347-357.

Amundson, J.M., and N.R. Iverson, 2006. Testing a glacial erosion rule using hang heights of hanging valleys, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada. J. Geophys. Res. - Earth Surface, 111, F01020, doi:10.1029/2005JF000359.

  
 
Presentations		  
   

Amundson, J.M., M. Truffer, R. Motyka, M. Fahnestock, M. Lüthi, and J. Brown, 2007. Large calving events and associated seismicity and ice motion, Ilulissat Glacier, West Greenland. Northwest Glaciology Meeting: Portland, Oregon.

Amundson, J.M., and M. Truffer, 2006. Glacial respirations and hibernations: Diurnal fluctuations in tiltmeter readings and possible implications for basal conditions. Northwest Glaciology Meeting: Fairbanks, Alaska.

Amundson, J.M., M. Truffer, and M.P. Lüthi, 2005. Stress redistribution in a transverse cross-section of Black Rapids Glacier, Alaska. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting: San Francisco, California.

Amundson, J.M., and M. Truffer, 2004. A coupled ice-till flow model of Black Rapids Glacier, Alaska. Northwest Glaciology Meeting: Seattle, Washington.

Amundson, J.M., and N.R. Iverson, 2003. Testing a glacial erosion rule using hang heights of Hanging Valleys, Jasper National Park, Canada. Arctic Workshop: Boulder, Colorado.

  
 
Professional organizations		  
    Member of the International Glaciological Society  

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