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Atmospheric Sciences
The Atmospheric Sciences group studies the physical, chemical and dynamical processes
of the atmosphere from the unique vantage point of the polar region. The group strives to understand
the polar atmosphere and its role within the Earth system. Many topics bear directly on societal issues
related to climate variability and change.
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Space Physics and Aeronomy
The Space Physics & Aeronomy research group studies Earth's geospace environment,
which extends from the surface of the sun to Earth's atmosphere. The group uses
ground-based observations of magnetic fluctuations, infrasound, light from
auroral emissions, and radio signals reflected from ionospheric irregularities.
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Snow, Ice and Permafrost
The Snow, Ice & Permafrost research group seeks to understand the properties of Earth's
icy regions, known as the cryosphere, and the physical processes that occur within them.
Scientists study the role of snow, ice and permafrost in shaping the landscape, and the
changes that occur as the Arctic climate warms.
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Seismology and Geodesy
The Seismology group conducts research and monitors Alaska's earthquakes and tsunamis. The group
includes the State Seismology Lab. Alaska lies in a tectonically complex region bounded by a major
subduction zone. The group carries out high-resolution seismic recordings and studies the motion
and configuration of tectonic plates.
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Tectonics and Sedimentation
The Tectonics & Sedimentation research group strives to reconstruct the processes of Earth's
history over a variety of timescales. Alaska and the adjacent regions of the circumpolar north
provide a rich environment for such research. The Pacific North American and Eurasian plates
meet in Alaska, creating a natural laboratory for research in this area.
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Remote Sensing
The Remote Sensing group develops and uses data from satellite, ground-based and
airborne sources to address Earth and planetary science topics. The group studies
volcanology, sea ice, permafrost, crustal deformation, impact craters, land use and
hazard monitoring.
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Volcanology
Alaska is the nation's most volcanically active state, with eruptions of broad impact. The Volcanology
group studies volcanoes and eruptions using remote sensing, infrasound, chemical analyses,
and special instrumentation. The group also studies volcanoes throughout the world and maintains
active collaborations with Alaska Volcano Observatory partners and with other universities worldwide.
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Landscape photo of a large volcano with the words "PEYULUK (VOLCANO)" superimposed on the image

“Peyuluk: Volcano” selected for international film festival

A short documentary film about what it’s like to live at the foot of an active volcano on the Alaska Peninsula has been selected to screen at the Anchorage International Film Festival in December. The “Peyuluk: Volcano” film will be shown as part of the Absolutely Alaska Shorts block at 10 a.m…

A two-stage NASA Black Brant IX sounding rocket creates a brilliant white exhaust trail that rises from the brightly illuminated launch site above snow-covered hills and forest, extending into orange-tinted clouds, where the rocket appears as a small bright streak.

Poker Flat launches two NASA rockets in three days

Experiments on two rockets that launched into the night from Poker Flat Research on Monday and Wednesday will reveal more about how stars influence our galaxy. A NASA mission to study how cosmic dust from dying stars forms launched from Poker Flat at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday. A University of Colorado…

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Stellar insights

Two rocket missions will study how dying stars shape our galaxy

Screenshot of the Alaska Earthquake Center’s interactive tsunami hazard map centered on Cordova, Alaska. A satellite image shows the community, harbor and surrounding forested terrain, with a yellow boundary tracing the tsunami hazard area along the shoreline.

New interactive Alaska tsunami hazard map helps communities prepare

A new and interactive tsunami hazards tool created by the Alaska Earthquake Center brings evacuation information, hazard maps and other community-specific resources into a single online location. Alaska has 6,700 miles of coastline, including its islands, and much of it is vulnerable to a…

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Ice flights

The 16-foot Supercooled Water Experimental Arctic Tower, or SWEAT, puts UAF on the leading edge of keeping drones airborne in winter

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A black and brown bat rests on brown leaves

Time capsule: Bats in the belfry

Note: Ned Rozell wrote this column on Oct. 25, 1994, his first as the new author of the Alaska Science Forum.

A bird with a black and orange head and back and a brown breast perches over some seeds.

Ornithological observations from a recliner

I don't know what age you're supposed to start sitting in a recliner and looking out the living room window at the bird feeder, but I sure do like doing that.

A person in a darkened room gestures to sunlit barley stalks.

Moving beyond Alaska Grown

Although I am a lover of Fairbanks, I am not particularly in love with mid-October Fairbanks.

An orange tabby cat sits in a chair, and a dog lies in a dog bed on the floor near a wood stove.

Time capsule: Hardwood, softwood, fuelwood

Note: After finally cleaning my stovepipe last weekend, it feels like woodstove season at my cabin can officially (and safely) begin.

A fox with a snowshoe hare in its mouth walks across a snowy landscape

Time capsule: The secret life of a red fox family

Note: At the start of every walk, my dogs try to sneak away to “fox town,” a fox den on the other side of the pond near my cabin, and we often see the adult foxes trotting through the neighborh

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In the News

Student Scientists

Meet graduate student researcher Audrianna ‘Ozzy' Schneider

Michael Cristoffersen at AGU23

Gabrielle Nowak at AGU23

Meet master's student Robin Carbaugh

Victor Devaux-Chupin at AGU23

Meet Ph.D. student Amy Hendricks

Kaytan Kelkar at AGU 2023

Meet Ph.D. student Wisnu Priyanto

Valerie Wasser at AGU23

Kyra Bornong, 2024 UAF Geophysical Institute Schaible Fellowship recipient

Meet graduate student researcher Gabrielle Nowak

Meet Ph.D. student Valerie Wasser

Meet Ph.D. student Austin Smith

Meet graduate student researcher Emily Fedders

CeCe Borries-Strigle at AGU 2023

Salcha quake provided a rapid-response opportunity for UAF grad students

Amy Jenson at AGU 2023

Dillon Gillespie at AGU 2023

Meet graduate student researcher Anastasia Chen

Zack Williams, 2024 UAF Geophysical Institute Schaible Fellowship recipient

Anika Pinzner at AGU 2023

Sam McKay at AGU 2023

Chynna Spitler at AGU23

Meet graduate student researcher Sebin John

Meet Ph.D. student Amy Jenson

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