Feb 19, 2009 - Feisty Ice

The coastal mountains along the Gulf of Alaska and Inside Passage are home to the largest glaciers outside of the polar region. The close proximity of the Pacific Ocean to this region's high mountains makes these glaciers especially dynamic. Tidewater glaciers sometimes exhibit wild instabilities that can lead to dramatic changes much larger than, or even opposite to, other glacier behavior.

On Feb. 19, Chris Larsen, assistant research professor of geophysics at UAF will give an overview of Alaska's coastal glaciers and explain some of the methods researchers use to monitor how they are changing. Dynamic Glaciers of Southeast Alaska is the fifth installment of the 2007 Science for Alaska Lecture Series. In Anchorage, the series runs every Monday through Feb. 26.

The weekly series, coordinated by the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, presents the latest scientific findings relevant to all Alaskans. The free, one-hour event begins at 7:15 p.m. in the Wendy Williamson Auditorium. Come early for educational demonstrations by The Imaginarium. All ages are welcome, for more information visit www.scienceforalaska.com