The Glaciology group at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studies glaciers and ice sheets, and their interaction with the climate system. Our research spans many spatial and temporal scales: from the microscopic interaction of ice and water at grain boundaries, to the internally-driven cyclic behaviour of glaciers and ice streams, to the evolution of continental-scale ice sheets and their contribution to sea level rise in a warming climate. We are interested in everything related to ice!
The glaciology group is growing: If you are interested in investigating glacier and ice sheet dynamics as part of a MSc, PhD or postdoctoral project, please contact Marianne Haseloff for opportunities.
Glaciology at UW-Madison through time
Glaciology and glacial geology have a long history at UW-Madison. Since John Muir (“Father of the National Parks”) enrolled at UW-Madison as a student in 1861, the university has been home to large number of students and scientists studying glaciers, ice sheets, and their geological imprint. Notable faculty include:
- Fredrik T. Thwaites (faculty at UW-Madison from 1928-1955 and namesake of Thwaites Glacier, Antarctica),
- Robert F. Black (professor at UW-Madison from 1956-1970 and namesake of Black Glacier, Antarctica),
- Charles R. Bentley (professor of glaciology and geophysics from 1961 to 2000 and namesake of Mount Bentley and the Bentley Subglacial Trench in Antarctica),
- David M. Mickelson (professor of glacial geology form 1971-2005).
Current faculty studying glacial environments are Lucas Zoet (UW Surface Processes Lab), Shaun Marcott (Paleoclimate and Glacial Geochronology Group) and Marianne Haseloff (Glacier and ice sheet dynamics).