Introduction to Quantitative Glaciology

Catalog description

This class will focus on a quantitative understanding of glaciers. Topics will include glacier mass balance, energy balance in glaciers, ice deformation physics, glacier hydrology, subglacial mechanics, ice sheet stability, and planetary glaciology. Emphasis will be on a theoretical understanding of what physical processes are important for glaciers and how to make predictions of their long-term behavior. Primary course objective: To learn how to quantitatively understand glacier processes. Specific learning goals: - Gain a quantitative understanding of how glaciers behave and why - Gain an understanding of which processes are important and how to model them - Learn how to reason quantitatively about the Earth and make predictions