Student Projects
Student Projects 2010
PROJECT 1 Effects of bed roughness on shallow flow and time-stepping
PARTICIPANTS: Jacob Walter, Greg Babonis
ADVISOR: Ed Bueler, Andi Aschwanden
DESCRIPTION A current topic in ice sheet modeling is the inclusion of newly-available
bed topography from ice-penetrating radar. A key question arises: "how does
roughness of bedrock topography affect modeled flow and time-stepping"? This
project will use a simple Matlab/Octave model for shallow, isothermal, threedimensional
ice sheet flow on deliberately-rough beds to quantify this effect.
Application to smoother-vs-rougher Antarctica beds is possible if time allows.SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: Matlab or Octave
REQUIRED STUDENT BACKGROUND: Matlab or Octave
PROJECT 2: Slippery patches in ice streams
PARTICIPANTS: Daniel Seneca Lindsey, Regina Carns
ADVISOR: Ed Bueler, Andi Aschwanden
DESCRIPTION What is the surface effect of "weak patches" under an ice stream? Can
we tell the difference between bumps in the bed versus weak patches? These are
also inverse modeling questions, but we take a first step and perform "forward"
experiments using a flow-line Matlab/Octave model for ice streams.SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: Matlab or Octave
REQUIRED STUDENT BACKGROUND: Matlab or Octave
PROJECT 3: Borehole temperatures
PARTICIPANTS: Sergey Marchenko, Adam Campbell
ADVISOR: Andy Aschwanden
DESCRIPTION What can we learn from temperature profiles in bore holes? Using a
simple 1-D heat transfer equation, we will infer the thermal regime from the
temperature profile measured in the (N)GRIP ice core(s) in Greenland.SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: Matlab or Octave
REQUIRED STUDENT BACKGROUND: Interest in mathematical methods and some
familiarity with Matlab programming (or Octave).
PROJECT 4: Kinematic GPS processing
PARTICIPANTS: Katrin Bentel, Joseph Kennedy, Bernhard Hynek
ADVISOR: Martin Truffer
DESCRIPTION We will learn how to process GPS data from moving ice to derive
glacier velocities and variations thereof. The project involves some minor field work.SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: Matlab or similar software, Linux operating system
REQUIRED STUDENT BACKGROUND: Some familiarity with a Linux/Unix operating
system is beneficial. Also we will analyze data in Matlab or similar software.
PROJECT 5: Inverse modeling
PARTICIPANTS: Iliyana Dobreva, David Docquier
ADVISOR: Martin Truffer
DESCRIPTION We will explore inverse models to derive conditions at the base of a
glacier from surface data. The project requires an interest in mathematical methods
and some familiarity with Matlab programing.SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: Matlab
REQUIRED STUDENT BACKGROUND: Some familiarity with a Linux/Unix operating
system is beneficial. Also we will analyze data in Matlab or similar software.
PROJECT 6: Remote sensing of glaciers
PARTICIPANTS:Jakob Sievers, Jeremy Fyke, Stephen Veitch
ADVISOR: Matthias Braun
DESCRIPTION We will explore the potential of different remote sensing data sets to
derive relevant glaciological information and parameters.SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: Ideally ENVI/IDL or ERDAS Imagine
REQUIRED STUDENT BACKGROUND: Basic data-processing skills
Suitable for 2-3 students
PROJECT 7: Ice sheet catchment mass balance
PARTICIPANTS: Ken Mankoff, Jan Lenaerts, Bob McNabb
ADVISOR: Ben Smith
DESCRIPTION We will explore inferring the mass balance of Pine Island and
Jakobshavn glaciers based on elevation-change, ice thickness, and surface velocity
measurements.SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: Matlab (or Octave, for the ambitious)
REQUIRED STUDENT BACKGROUND: Basic data-processing skills.
PROJECT 8: Volume Change of the Kennicott Glacier from Aircraft Laser Altimetry
PARTICIPANTS: Pierre Pitte, Matthias Kunz
ADVISOR: Anthony Arendt
DESCRIPTION We will use recent aircraft altimetry data to calculate the elevation
change of the Kennicott Glacier along its central flowline. Various methods for
extrapolating to the Kennicott catchment, as well as all glaciers of the Wrangell
Mountains, will be explored.SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: ArcGIS
REQUIRED STUDENT BACKGROUND: Basic data-processing skills and familiarity with
GIS software.
PROJECT 9: Bed profile and internal structure of the Lower Root Glacier
PARTICIPANTS: Alicia Rutledge, Tyler Jones, Gustaf Peterson
ADVISOR: Erin Pettit
DESCRIPTION We will collect and process data in an attempt to map the bed and
internal structure of the Root Glacier just outside of Kennicott. We will compare
results from 3 different frequencies (5MHz, 100MHz, and 1GHz) to get bed and
internal structure at 3 different scales and depths.
REQUIREMENTS: Software: Matlab; Other: Willingness to do fieldwork (rain or shine)!REQUIRED STUDENT BACKGROUND: Familiarity with Matlab would make the
processing go much more easily.
PROJECT 10: Evolution of glacial valley long profiles
PARTICIPANTS: Joanna Young, Richard Becker, Katie Boldt
ADVISOR: Bob Anderson
DESCRIPTION We will explore the evolution of glacial long valley profiles in the face of
repeated glacial cycles. We will assess the dependence of the resulting valley form
on the erosion “rules” used, the history of climate (for example, either simple
sinusoids, or more realistic d18O forcing), and the geometry of the valley planview.SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: Matlab
REQUIRED STUDENT BACKGROUND: Some familiarity with Matlab would help,
although we hope to develop the project in such a way that the student can be a
simple user father than developer. Some results we will export into movies.
PROJECT 11: Surface energy balance and sensitivity of melt to climate change
PARTICIPANTS: Leif Anderson, Markus Engelhard
ADVISOR: Regine Hock
DESCRIPTION The project involves calculating the energy balance at the surface of a
glacier comparing different parameterizations for various components. We will
explore the sensitivity of energy components and glacier to melt to changes in
meteorological input variables. Details will evolve with student interests.SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS: Any programming language or Matlab. Project can in
principle also be done using spreadsheets (e.g. Excel)REQUIRED STUDENT BACKGROUND: Basic knowledge of any of the software
requirements above