Changing Ice: Insights from a Decade of Research on Easton Glacier, Mt. Baker
Mt. Baker is the second most heavily glacier-clad volcano in the U.S., and its glaciers are a vital component of the hydrologic, ecologic, geologic, and societal systems of the surrounding region. Yet despite their imposing size and apparent permanence, they are anything but static, constantly changing in response to changes in climate. The glaciers have left clues of prehistoric times when they were much larger than at present, primarily in the moraines and deposits they have left behind. In contrast, studies of the existing ice demonstrate that the glaciers have been experiencing dramatic retreat over the past century, with no indication that the retreat will stop anytime soon. In this talk, I will discuss the results of two decades of research with my students and other colleagues concerning glacier change at Mt. Baker, with an eye towards the implications for the future.
About the Speaker
Doug Clark is an Associate Professor of Geology at Western Washington University. He received BS and MS degrees in Geology at Stanford University and a Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from University of Washington. He also worked as a geotechnical geologist for Earth Sciences Associates in the Bay Area between his advanced degrees.
Doug’s research interests span a broad range of Earth-surface phenomena related to mountain landscapes, including glaciation and climate change, landslides, and active tectonics. His research has taken him to mountain ranges in central Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and western North America, but he maintains a special interest on glacial problems in the North Cascades, including Mt. Baker.
Environmental Speaker Series
The Environmental Speaker Series is hosted by the College of the Environment at Western Washington University.
The Series is free and open to the public. Talks are held each Thursday at 4:30 pm in Academic Instructional Center West room 204 - AW-204. Talks will also be streamed via Zoom. Register with The Foundation for WWU & Alumni for the zoom link. Parking is available in lot C.