Polar Geospatial Center (PGC) Seminar Series #4: Dr. Elly n Enderlin, Boise State University

"Remote Sensing of Icebergs: Can iceberg elevation time se ries provide insights into changing glacier-ocean interactions?"

Webinar D etails:

SPEAKER: Dr. Ellyn Enderlin

TITLE : Remote Sensing of Icebergs: Can iceberg elevation time series provid e insights into changing glacier-ocean interactions?

DATE: Wednes day 30th September

TIME: 12-1pm US central time

Registra tion is open to the public.

Abstract:&nb sp;Icebergs have long instilled fear in the hearts of polar naviga tors, motivating the development of in situ and remotely-sensed datasets to monitor their movement in regions where they pose hazards to commercial sh ipping operations. Although icebergs have been tracked in the open ocean fo r decades, there was relatively little research on icebergs in glacial fjor ds prior to the 21st century. In this presentation, I will explain how high -resolution remotely-sensed elevation time series of icebergs in glacial fj ords can be used as a tool to better understand changing ice-ocean interact ions in otherwise inaccessible locations. I will focus primarily on estimat ion of iceberg freshwater fluxes and melt rates by members of my group and what those data can potentially tell us about submarine melt conditions nea r glacier termini. Iceberg melt data will be presented for both Greenland a nd Antarctica, including new iceberg melt time series for a dozen locations spanning the Antarctic periphery. I will also briefly describe promising n ew research that utilizes iceberg elevation time series and fragmentation t heory to explore controls on iceberg calving. Although the full potential o f iceberg elevation data is still unknown, this presentation will hopefully inspire you to think more about icebergs!

The webinar will include an interactive Q&A session with our guest spe aker and PGC staff, and a recording will be available on our website. We ho pe you take the opportunity to attend and ask questions you may want answer ed.

In light of the Arctic and Antarctic field s easons cancellations and changes, the PGC is taking this opportunity to sho wcase some of our users’ remote sensing based techniques and research that may inspire or supplement any project changes others have experienced.