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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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The West Ridge research area at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is nestled against the frosted woodlands in November. Photo by Eric Marshall

Alaska climate report: November anything but normal

November brought two wildly differing snow stories to Alaska, according to the monthly summary from the Alaska Climate Research Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. Much of Alaska saw unusually low snowfall in November, but Anchorage was hit with its first major…

In this photo taken from an aircraft, the atmosphere glows after the United States detonated a nuclear device 250 miles above the Pacific Ocean on July 9, 1962. Photo courtesy of Los Alamos National Laboratory

Research offers defense against energized space electrons

Research at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute is advancing the ability to quickly clean up Earth’s radiation belts from a flood of energetic electrons created by an extraordinary solar blast or a nuclear explosion in space. Many of these incoming electrons become trapped in…

The November 2025 cover of the Geological Society of America’s magazine features research by UAF professor Sean Regan and colleagues.

Research straightens out what caused the arc under Alaska’s mountains

Two related major tectonic processes that occurred simultaneously 75 million to 50 million years ago created the grand arc on which three Alaska mountain ranges sit today, according to new research by a University of Alaska Fairbanks scientist and others. The research links fault movement on the far…

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Changing channels

Far up in Alaska, between 64.593 degrees north latitude and 66.870 degrees, sit 11 research sites emblematic of the wide-scale change being brought by a small mammal. Meet the beaver, whose well-known practice of dam building is altering the northern Alaska landscape as the animals move northward in…

UAF graduate student Cole Richards installs a high-sampling seismic sensor in February 2019. It is one 400 placed along the Parks Highway following the 2018 magnitude 7.1 Anchorage earthquake. Graduate student Bella Seppi would later use the sensor data in her aircraft research. Photo by Carl Tape

Seismic data can identify aircraft by type

Instruments typically used to detect the ground motion of earthquakes can also be used to identify the type of aircraft flying far overhead, research by University of Alaska Fairbanks scientists shows. That’s because aircraft sound waves also shake the ground, though to a much lesser extent. An…

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