Home

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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more

Mount Edgecumbe rises in the foreground with Crater Ridge behind and to the north on May 19, 2022. Photo by Max Kaufman/Alaska Volcano Observatory

Article

Scientists aim to map Mount Edgecumbe volcano’s upper plumbing

Geophysical Institute

October 9, 2025

Mount Edgecumbe volcano in Southeast Alaska sits in a place where a volcano shouldn’t really be sitting. Research underway with new federal...

This map of Northern Hemisphere sea ice concentration for Sept. 24, 2025, also shows the contours of the 15% edge during the years with the least extent of ice (in red) and the greatest extent of ice (in orange) during the period from November 1978 to the present. Image courtesy of NASA

Article

Alaska climate report: Sea ice growth and other winter transitions

Geophysical Institute

October 7, 2025

Sea ice has returned to its annual growing season, though it’s a slow turnaround as usual. The Arctic sea ice extent likely reached its 2025...

Lee Ann Munk of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute at a National Science Foundation event in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 18, 2025. Photo by Steve Masterman

Article

UAF critical minerals proposal a finalist for NSF funding

Geophysical Institute

September 19, 2025

A University of Alaska Fairbanks proposal to reduce the United States’ dependency on foreign sources of minerals critical to the technology and...

more news

More Students

more researchers

Mendenhall Glacier barely touches Mendenhall Lake near Juneau in this photo Eran Hood took from a helicopter on Aug. 13, 2025. Photo by Eran Hood.

Mendenhall Glacier to pull toe from lake

In the near future, Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier will withdraw its icy toe from the lake of its making, scientists say.

Coming back to the country

While applying to attend John McPhee’s writing seminar at Princeton University in the fall of 2017, Ben Weissenbach wrote his 86-year-old instructor “I want to follow in your footsteps, literally.”

Biologist Erik Schoen gathers a water sample from a slough of the Chena River about 45 miles east of Fairbanks in September 2025. His team members will check the sample for possible DNA evidence of northern pike in the water. Photo by Ned Rozell.

The quietly essential salmon stream

UPPER CHENA RIVER — On this rainy September afternoon, Erik Schoen vacuums water from a backwater slough. The clear flow runs through a plastic tube and into a jar.