Scope and Structure:The course will provide a survey of the characteristics of the components of the global cryosphere, the physical processes operating within each component subsystem and their roles and interactions in the climate system. The course relates to the new World Climate Research Program project on the Cryosphere and Climate (CliC), see: http://clic.npolar.no for Science Plan and Implementation strategy. Changes in global snow cover, Arctic sea ice extent, mountain glaciers and ice shelves, and permafrost/frozen ground will be examined and their causes and significance for society will be explored. Empirical and modeling studies will be considered. |
There will be several guest speakers. Students will contribute regular short presentations on selected articles from reading lists provided. The grade will be based on 2 term papers on topics of interest to the individual, one relating to seasonal and one to perennial snow or ice feature to be submitted late October and near the end of semester. |
The course is open to Seniors with Instructor's consent. |
| 23 Aug. | OVERVIEW of the cryosphere; forms and distributions of snow and ice; time changes; viewpoints and methods of study |
| 30 Aug. | SNOW:Snowfall; snowcover |
| 6 Sep. | Snow cover remote sensing (RLA) |
| 13 Sep. | Snow pack processes & avalanches (RLA) |
| 20 Sep. | Snow pack energy budget/hydrology (TP) |
| 27 Sep. | Optical properties of snow (TP) |
| 4 Oct. | FLOATING ICE:Freshwater ice (rivers, lakes) |
| 11 Oct. | Sea ice - characteristics and modeling |
| 16 Oct. | Atmosphere-ocean-ice interactions TERM PAPER (1) DUE |
| 25 Oct. | GLACIERS, ICE SHEETS AND ICE SHELVES:Snowline, mass and energy balance |
| 1 Nov. | Dynamical characteristics of glaciers and ice sheets/shelves |
| 8 Nov. | Glaciers, Ice Sheets/climate |
| 15 Nov. | GROUND ICE AND PERMAFROST: Distribution, types, processes |
| 29 Nov. | Current and Potential Future Changes in the Cryosphere |
| 6 Dec. | CLASS PRESENTATIONS (based on one of the term papers) |
| 7 Dec. | TERM PAPER (2) DUE |