2023: A year of continued research leadership by the UAF Geophysical Institute

*The community of Chignik Bay on the Alaska Peninsula. Photo by Chris Maio*

This year, like the years and decades before it, again showed the strength and significance of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute as a leader in research, especially in Arctic research.

Geophysical Institute scientists — research faculty, graduate students and undergrads — study permafrost, ice, snow, sea ice, the depths of the Arctic Ocean, coastal erosion, seismicity and volcanology of Alaska, tectonics, the Arctic atmosphere, the aurora and other aspects of near-Earth space. And more. The Geophysical Institute is particularly strong in climate change research.

The year 2023 had it all. Here’s a lengthy sampling of the year’s research:

Research explains strength of earthquake shaking in Nenana Basin

FAA grants wide authority to UAF unmanned aircraft center

UAF research contributes to progress on fusion energy

UAF researchers aiding NASA in developing Venus seismometer

New method of monitoring shore ice could improve public safety

Research reveals geologic history of critical Alaska graphite deposit

Paleomagnetism aids research on the Northern Hemisphere Glaciation

Geophysical Institute research on display at European science meeting

UAF researchers show work at Seismological Society of America meeting

Scientists find novel way to aid earthquake magnitude determination

UAF scientists to hunt for clues about Arctic Ocean glaciation