VOL. 96  NO. 16  1 SEPT 2015 Weird Tresses of Ice

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fallmeeting.agu.org Earth & Space Science News Contents

1 SEPTEMBER 2015 PROJECT UPDATE VOLUME 96, ISSUE 16

19

Making the Northern Indian Ocean a Hub of Geomagnetic Data A new initiative seeks to unite and network the magnetic research community in the northern Indian Ocean region.

MEETING REPORT

Modeling the Stratosphere’s 8 “Heartbeat”

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

12

COVER 23

Small Rivers Could Have Big Impact Past Phosphorus Runoff Causes on Arctic Ocean Present Oxygen Depletion in Lakes The Mackenzie River carries the bulk of freshwater flow from North Sediment cores show how phosphorus America’s tundra to the North Atlantic. But what about the effects of pollution in the 1950s led to current, smaller rivers from Canada’s Arctic islands? inherited hypoxia in lakes in the Alps.

Earth & Space Science News Eos.org // 1 Contents

DEPARTMENTS

Editor in Chief Barbara T. Richman: AGU, Washington, D. C., USA; eos_ [email protected] Editors Christina M. S. Cohen Wendy S. Gordon Carol A. Stein California Institute Ecologia Consulting, Department of Earth and of Technology, Pasadena, Austin, Texas, USA; Environmental Sciences, Calif., USA; wendy@ecologiaconsulting​ University of Illinois at [email protected]​ .com Chicago, Chicago, Ill., USA; [email protected] José D. Fuentes David Halpern Department of Meteorology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pennsylvania State Pasadena, Calif., USA; University, University davidhalpern29@gmail​ Park, Pa., USA; .com [email protected] Editorial Advisory Board M. Lee Allison, Earth and Space Xin-Zhong Liang, Global Science Informatics Environmental Change Lora S. Armstrong, Volcanology, Jian Lin, Tectonophysics Geochemistry, and Petrology Figen Mekik, Paleoceanography Michael A. Ellis, Earth and Planetary and Paleoclimatology Surface Processes Jerry L. Miller, Ocean Sciences Arlene M. Fiore, Atmospheric Sciences Michael A. Mischna, Planetary Nicola J. Fox, Space Physics Sciences and Aeronomy Thomas H. Painter, Cryosphere Steve Frolking, Biogeosciences Sciences Edward J. Garnero, Study of the Roger A. Pielke Sr., Natural Hazards Earth’s Deep Interior Michael Poland, Geodesy Michael N. Gooseff, Hydrology Eric M. Riggs, Education 3 Kristine C. Harper, History Adrian Tuck, Nonlinear Geophysics of Geophysics Sergio Vinciguerra, Mineral Keith D. Koper, Seismology and Rock Physics Robert E. Kopp, Geomagnetism Earle Williams, Atmospheric 9–11 Opinion and Paleomagnetism and Space Electricity John W. Lane, Near-Surface Mary Lou Zoback, Societal Impacts Future Directions for the World Geophysics and Policy Sciences Climate Research Programme. Staff Production: Faith A. Ishii, Production Manager; Melissa A. Tribur, Senior Production Specialist; Liz Castenson, Editor’s Assistant; Yael Fitzpatrick, Manager, Design and 23–25 Research Spotlight Branding; Valerie Bassett and Travis Frazier, Electronic Graphics Specialists Past Phosphorus Runoff Causes Editorial: Peter L. Weiss, Manager/Senior News Editor; Mohi Kumar, Science Writer/ Editor; Randy Showstack, Senior News Writer; JoAnna Wendel, Writer Present Oxygen Depletion in Marketing: Angelo Bouselli and Mirelle Moscovitch, Marketing Analysts Lakes; Rethinking How Tropical Advertising: Christy Hanson, Manager; Tel: +1-202-777-7536; Email: advertising@ Convection Works; What Climate agu.org Information Is Most Useful for ©2015. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved. Material in this issue may Predicting Floods?; How Did the be photocopied by individual scientists for research or classroom use. Permission Moon Get Its Shape? is also granted to use short quotes, figures, and tables for publication in scientific 25 books and journals. For permission for any other uses, contact the AGU Publications Office. 26–31 Positions Available Eos (ISSN 0096-3941) is published semi-monthly, on the 1st and 15th of the month 3–6 News except the 1st of January 2015 by the American Geophysical Union, 2000 Florida Current job openings in the Earth Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA. Periodical Class postage paid at Washington, Fungus, Physics Explain Weird and space sciences. D. C., and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Member Service Center, 2000 Florida Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA. Tresses of Ice; Leading Companies Member Service Center: 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Eastern time; Tel: +1-202-462-6900; Take White House Climate Pledge; 32 Postcards from the Field Fax: +1-202-328-0566; Tel. orders in U.S.: 1-800-966-2481; Email: [email protected]. Comet Lander Makes a Hard Use AGU’s Geophysical Electronic Manuscript Submissions system to submit a Discovery; Hearing Sparks Concerns Harvesting snow algae from the manuscript: http://eos-submit.agu.org. About Planetary Science Funding. surface of Collier Glacier in Oregon. Views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect official positions of the American Geophysical Union unless expressly stated. Christine W. McEntee, Executive Director/CEO 7–8 Meeting Reports On the Cover The Future of Antarctic Subglacial A view of the Kellett River on Lake Exploration; Modeling the Canada’s Banks Island. Stratosphere’s “Heartbeat.” Credit: Robie W. Macdonald.

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2 // Eos 1 September 2015 NEWS

hypotheses about how hair ice forms posed by Fungus, Physics other scientists who, since Wegener, also investigated the curious filaments. The growth Explain Weird Tresses of Ice of hair ice filaments can be seen in a time-­ lapse video (http://bit.ly/IceGrowVideo) taken at the Gletschergarten (Glacier Garden) in Lucerne, Switzerland. ix years after Alfred Wegener published Fungus Found Unlike the spiky ice crystal crusts called his theory on continental drift, the geo- Hair ice grows under conditions of freezing rime ice and hoarfrost, which grow under con- S physicist scrutinized another curious temperature and high humidity. From 2012 ditions similar to those of hair ice but with relationship, one so obscure, however, that it until last year, the researchers created these new crystals added at their tips, hair ice grows would take almost a century to confirm his conditions from time to time in a garden shed as its name implies: with the newest crystals hypothesis. to conduct hair ice–growing experiments. forming at its roots, near the wood. During the winter of 1916–1917 in the The researchers credit the elaborate ice It’s there that a film of water gets trapped Vosges Mountains near the French-German­ coiffures subsequently created to Exidiopsis between wood and ice in such a way that ice border, he noticed tufts of ultrafine, effusa, from the phylum Basidiomycota. It is hairs sprout radially from the wood surface, 4-centimeter-­ long­ strands of ice sprouting among 11 different species of fungi that biolo- like spokes of a wheel, the researchers report. from dead branches. The first scientist to gist Gisela Preuß, a secondary school teacher Suction forces within the film draw water from investigate the hair ice phenomenon, Wege- in Neustadt, Germany, and coauthor on the within the pores of the wood toward the freez- ner reported the next year a likely relationship report, found from microscopic examination ing front, maintaining the sandwiched water between the projecting ice strands and fungus of hair ice–growing wood. film while adding new crystals to the hairs. filaments that also caught his eye, clinging to “Exidiopsis effusa colonized all of our hair Most known observations of hair ice have the surface of the hair ice–bearing wood. Yet ice–­producing wood, and in more than half of come from broadleaf forests, largely located how the two were connected remained a mys- the samples, it was the only species present,” between 45°N and 55°N latitude, in regions tery—until now. she said. including Scotland, Ireland, Wales, the Neth- This summer, a team of German and Swiss In the tests, killing Exidiopsis effusa with erlands, Sweden, Slovenia, Russia, the U.S. scientists not only identified the fungus hot water prevented new hair ice from Pacific Northwest, and Canada’s west coast. behind these exotic ice structures but also developing when favorable hair ice condi- have explained how an interplay among bio- tions were restored. Also, in the absence of Fungal Freeze Control logical factors, atmospheric conditions, and the fungus, ice formed only a simple crust on With or without fungal activity, “the same basic properties of liquid and frozen water the wood. amount of ice is produced on wood,” said may lead to the delicate tresses of hair ice. study coauthor Christian Mätzler, an emeritus The researchers published their findings on Ice Hairs Sprout Out professor of physics at the University of Bern 22 July in Biogeosciences (http://bit.ly/​ The new tests also tracked temperature varia- in Switzerland, in a press release. Although ­EGUBiogeo), a journal of the European Geo- tions and chemical composition of water and the fungus is a key player in sculpting hair ice, sciences Union. ice during hair ice growth. They confirmed the resulting fibers do not encapsulate any fungus filaments. Rather, the fungus remains on the wood as white webby films. Instead of acting as a scaffolding for ice fibers, the fungus appears to foster hair ice growth by secreting a chemical that prevents small ice crystals from reconfiguring into larger ones—a process known as recrystallization. “The action of the fungus is to enable the ice to form thin hairs—with a diameter of about 0.01 millimeter—and to keep this shape over many hours at temperatures close to 0°C,” explained Mätzler. “Our hypothesis 0) includes that the hairs are stabilized by a recrystallization inhibitor that is provided by the fungus.” This inhibitor, likely a protein, prevents damage that recrystallization would wreak on structures that are fine grained, such as hair ice filaments. Janine Fröhlich of the Max Planck Institute SA 4.0 (http://bit.ly/ccbyncsa4- ­ 4.0 SA for Chemistry in Mainz, Germany, who was NC- ­ not involved in the study, commented that Exidiopsis effusa’s effect on ice formation might serve as a mechanism for water collec- tion to aid growth of the fungus. A similar

­ Gisela Preuß, CC BY- process has been suggested for ice-­forming Hair ice found on the forest floor near Brachbach, Germany. lichen, she told Eos.

Earth & Space Science News Eos.org // 3 NEWS SA NC- ­ Leading Companies Take White House Climate Pledge

hirteen of the biggest com- panies in the United States T have signed on to a new initiative by President Obama to ­ Hofmann et al., Biogeosciences , 2015, CC BY- 4.0 (http://bit.ly/ccbyncsa4- ­ 0) reduce greenhouse gas emis- Close-up­ photo of melting hair ice, showing tiny water sions, the White House droplets on the ice filaments. announced in late July. The companies—which Chemical analyses of hair ice meltwater reported more than $1.3 trillion have provided clues to how the fungus may in revenue in 2014—committed have inhibited recrystallization. Using mass to a total of at least $140 billion in spectrometry, chemist and study coauthor new low-carbon­ investments, Diana Hofmann of Forschungszentrum Jülich more than 1600 megawatts of in Germany, found organic compounds in the new renewable energy, and other water, primarily fragments of lignin, which is measures at the launch of the the main component of wood and a substance American Business Act on Cli- Alcoa that some fungi and bacteria can break down mate Pledge (see http://bit.ly/ Alcoa officials say the company’s climate pledge includes reducing car- but animals can’t. The study authors say more PledgeAct). bon dioxide (CO2) emissions through improved processes, technology, research is needed to determine what role the The companies also voiced sup- and energy efficiency at aluminum smelters, such as the Wenatchee, decomposed lignin may play in hair ice growth port for a strong outcome at the Wash., facility, pictured here. Worldwide, Alcoa smelters cut their CO2 and to pin down if the lignin breakdown prod- international climate conference emissions by 6.8% last year, compared with levels from 2013, the company ucts are serving as the recrystallization inhibi- (see http://bit.ly/CoP21) in Paris said. tor. later this year. The aim of that meeting, which will take place Rare Ability from 30 November to 11 December, is for Mc­Knight, the company’s chief sustainabil- Fungi capable of triggering ice crystal forma- thousands of delegates from nations and ity officer, said that manufacturing lighter tion from liquid water—that is, “ice-­ organizations worldwide to reach a legally and stronger components for products such nucleating” fungi—can also preserve small binding agreement on climate change to pre- as pickup trucks also would help to save crystal ice structures by stopping recrystalli- vent global warming of more than 2°C. energy. zation. “We think Paris is a big deal. We think that Fungi apparently evolved ways to trigger ice More Businesses Expected to Sign On it’s critical that the business community get nucleation to protect themselves from damage Brian Deese, senior advisor to the president, behind government,” McKnight said. He when temperatures drop below freezing, said praised the companies for “setting an exam- called for using the Paris meeting “to really atmospheric chemist Thomas Hill of Colorado ple” for their move the world in State University in Fort Collins, who did not industries. The a different direc- participate in the study. “The main point is to White House hopes The White House hopes that tion.” protect the fungus by initiating freezing at rel- that the company Microsoft’s atively high temperatures,” he said. pledges unveiled on the company pledges are the commitment Among particles and organisms that are ice 27 July are “the beginning of a substantial includes purchas- nucleators, anything that triggers water to beginning of a sub- ing 100% renew- crystallize at −5°C or warmer exhibits a rare stantial mobiliza- mobilization effort. able energy to ability in nature, Hill explained. He called tion effort,” he operate its data Exidiopsis effusa’s apparent ability to trigger ice added. and manufacturing nucleation just below 0°C “really exceptional.” The administra- centers and other “It’s satisfying to know the organism tion intends to announce a second round of facilities, according to Rob Bernard, Micro- responsible for such a beautiful thing,” Hill pledges “from a far broader spectrum of soft’s chief environmental strategist. “We are continued. He added that this and other recent American companies” later this year, prior to committed to carbon neutrality,” he said. discoveries show that ice nucleation seems to the Paris conference, Deese said. Other companies that signed on to the cli- be much more common than previously mate pledge are Apple, Bank of America, thought. However, we still know almost noth- Pledges to Cut Berkshire Hathaway Energy, Cargill, Coca-­ ing “about what ecological advantages it pro- Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cola, General Motors, Goldman Sachs, Google, vides,” he explained. Among the companies’ commitments, Alcoa PepsiCo, UPS, and Walmart. pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emis- sions by 50% in the United States by 2025, By Christina Reed, Freelance Writer compared with a 2005 baseline. Kevin By Randy Showstack, Staff Writer

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Comet Lander Makes a Hard Discovery

hilae’s failed harpoons may have been a A sturdy surface could suggest “a hard crust acetamide—not previously observed on a blessing in disguise. of the same grains that we’ve seen before but comet. A few of these compounds, including P Last November, the harpoons’ failure now glued together with probably water ice or one of the previously unseen ones, are con- to anchor the lander where it initially touched other ice,” he continued. sidered important to the synthesis of biologi- down on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko­ cally necessary molecules such as amino acids caused the probe to bounce across the comet’s Comets in the Laboratory and complex sugars. landscape. Recently, mission scientists In the early 1990s, German scientists created a The compounds “would come in handy for reported that Philae has found a scientific sur- comet analog in the laboratory by spraying the building of more complicated molecules,” prise at its final resting place: The ground water and dust into said Fred Goes- there harbors a much harder surface than sci- liquid nitrogen and mann, lead entists thought could exist on a comet. exposing the mix- Some scientists believe author on the In addition to the remarkably hard terrain, ture to a vacuum paper and prin- Philae scientists described other novel features while simulating comets could hold the secret cipal investiga- of the lander’s new home, including organic the Sun’s radiation. to life on Earth. tor for Philae’s chemicals never found on a comet before—all They found that Cometary Sam- in a set of six scientific papers published in the some of the water pling and Com- 30 July Science. The suite of discoveries may would freeze, position experi- provide new insights into how comets form. cementing the dust particles together over a ment. “If that is a path towards life, I don’t Philae initially touched down on an area of few hours. This led them to surmise that com- know. But it does not look like a path in the the comet called Agilkia, which has a granular ets could have hard, icy surfaces. opposite direction.” surface composed of silicate grains and organ- However, a few years later, NASA’s Deep “This way the early solar system provided ics covering harder bedrock, as expected by Impact mission smashed a probe into a real an environment where life would feel wel- mission scientists. But when the harpoons comet—called Tempel 1—and found it to be come,” Goesmann continued. didn’t secure the lander, it bounced twice and weak and powdery. Other space probes simi- Relatively small and rocky, comets formed ultimately landed in Abydos, about 1.3 kilome- larly found a lack of hard material, namely ice, in the early days of our solar system and origi- ters away. There Philae encountered a surface on the surfaces of other comets. nated in the Oort Cloud, a vast shell of icy with a hardness similar to pumice. Considering the recent findings from Phi- bodies that inhabit the solar system’s out- “There is very hard material, with a little lae, Biele believes it’s time for scientists to skirts. Because organic molecules are not dust on the surface,” said Jens Biele, payload revisit the 1990s experiments and further uncommon on comets, some scientists believe manager for Philae at the German Aerospace explore the evolution of comets. that comets could hold the secret to life on Center and lead author of one of the Science “Large portions of the comet seem to con- Earth. papers (http://bit.ly/hardpapr). He compared sist of this consolidated material that forms the hardness of the newly analyzed surface to the spectacular cliffs and rugged landscape Philae’s Status the compacted snow of a glacier, called firn you see in many parts of the comet,” Biele The observations analyzed in the Science stud- snow. said. For now, research by a handful of Euro- ies were made by Philae before 15 November pean scientists on how 2014. That was when the probe’s batteries ran this material coalesces out after the lander’s bouncy debut on the

0) and becomes hardened comet deposited it where it couldn’t initially is just getting started, he receive enough sunlight to recharge the cells. continued. After Philae finally received adequate Sun exposure, it radioed mission control once in Organics late June and again on 9 July but was silent In another of the Philae-­ from then until this issue of Eos went to press. focused Science The lander has enough power to last until papers (http://bit.ly/ October or November, Philae project manager

SA IGO 3.0 (http://bit.ly/ccbysaigo3- ­ IGO 3.0 SA orgnics), scientists Stephan Ulamec said, but a problem was sus- reported on the variety pected with a transmitter unit. of complex organic Although the prospects for future scientific compounds measured findings from Philae remained uncertain, by the spacecraft’s project scientists seemed optimistic. “As soon onboard instruments, as we get better radio contact, we are prepared including four to do more science,” Ulamec said.

­ – CC BY- ESA/Rosetta/NAVCAM compounds—methyl­ An image of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko­ taken by Rosetta on 20 July 2015, isocyanate, acetone, from a distance of 171 kilometers. propionaldehyde, and By JoAnna Wendel, Staff Writer

Earth & Space Science News Eos.org // 5 NEWS

versus those to explore other planets and Hearing Sparks Concerns beyond. The House targeted NASA Earth sci- ence funding for cuts. It passed increased About Planetary Science Funding funding for exploration directed outward into the solar system, an endeavor popular with many House members.

More Funding Could Keep Missions Moving At the hearing, John Grunsfeld, associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, said that if the agency is given more planetary science funding, it could speed up the pace at which high-­priority “Discovery-­ class” and “New Frontiers–class” planetary missions reach milestones and launch. New Horizons was the first mission under the New Frontiers program, which caps missions at $1 billion; Discovery missions are capped at $450 million. Robert Pappalardo, the project scientist for the Europa mission at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., testified that the pace of possible exploration of Jupiter’s moon Europa depends on the pace of the funding. “We can walk or we can crawl to get there.” He added that young planetary scien- tists “question whether they can stay in the field because of the kinds of cuts that have happened.” These cuts eliminated some research programs associated with missions. House Science Committee

John Grunsfeld, associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (far left), testified at a 28 July Congres- Déjà Vu sional hearing on NASA solar system exploration. Other witnesses who spoke were (from left to right after Grunsfeld) Funding included in the House bill could Alan Stern, principal investigator of the New Horizons Mission, Southwest Research Institute; Christopher Russell, move up a Europa mission launch compared Dawn mission principal investigator and professor of geophysics and planetary physics at the University of California, to how quickly it could happen under the Los Angeles; Robert Pappalardo, Europa mission project scientist, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory; and Robert Braun, Administration proposal, Casey Dreier of the professor of space technology at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Planetary Society told Eos after the hearing. Dreier is advocacy director for the nonprofit organization, which serves space exploration recent Congressional hearing about Ranking member Rep. Eddie Bernice John- enthusiasts. exploration of the solar system alter- son (D-Texas)­ noted that Congress needs to do The House bill also includes money for two A nated between amazement at recent its part in keeping NASA’s solar system explo- active missions—the Mars Opportunity rover successes, such as this summer’s Pluto flyby, ration program robust “by making sure NASA and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter—that and acrimony about projected funding levels receives adequate and timely funding to sup- are zeroed out in the administration’s request, for planetary science at NASA. port the development and operation” of solar Dreier noted. The FY 2016 proposals repeat a At the 28 July hearing, Rep. Lamar Smith system missions. She also called for funding pattern that has recurred with every budget (R-Texas),­ chair of the House of Representa- for advanced technology development to request since FY 2013, he said: The adminis- tives’ Committee on Science, Space, and Tech- enable missions to “continue to rewrite the tration request cuts planetary science funding nology, lambasted as inadequate the Obama science textbooks.” that Congress has restored every time. administration’s budget request for NASA planetary sciences for fiscal year (FY) 2016. A Key Difference Space Showcase “Funding levels requested by the Obama The administration requested $1.36 billion Although pending budgets for planetary sci- administration would slow the rate at which for NASA planetary sciences in FY 2016, ence emerged as a contentious issue at the we can develop, build, and launch new mis- down $77 million from the FY 2015 enacted hearing, the event mainly served to showcase sions,” Smith said. He cited the New Hori- level of $1.44 billion. The House passed an the recent Pluto flyby and other NASA solar zons mission, which achieved the close flyby appropriations bill calling for $1.56 billion, system exploration missions, such as a mis- of Pluto on 14 July, as an example of the type $200 million more than President Obama sion to Europa and the Dawn mission to the of mission that could be impeded. House-­ had asked for. dwarf planet Ceres and asteroid Vesta. approved funding levels “would allow NASA A key difference between the administra- to keep planetary missions like New Horizons tion and House proposals is how much fund- on track,” he said. ing each allocates to missions to study Earth By Randy Showstack, Staff Writer

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The Future of Antarctic Subglacial Lake Exploration Antarctic Subglacial Lake Exploration: First Results and Future Plans Chicheley, U. K.; 30–31 March 2015

wenty years ago, scientists first theo- programs to explore Lake Vostok, Lake Ells- Whillans in January 2013, revealing a thriving rized that Lake Vostok, the gigantic worth (a deepwater lake in the center of microbial ecosystem in the lake water and T subglacial lake in central East Antarc- West Antarctica), and Lake Whillans (a shal- sediments. tica, harbored a unique microbial community low “active” lake at the edge of West Antarctica). Scientists attending the meeting identi- that evolved in isolation over millions of To discuss the results from these pioneering fied three priority recommendations for years and contained records of ancient cli- programs and future mate change. to plan future research. First, We now know that more than 400 subgla- work, Development of technology for development cial lakes exist across Antarctica, that many 60 researchers clean, reliable deep-­ice access of technology of them regularly discharge water to and from 12 nations for clean, reli- receive water from the subglacial system, gathered in the and in situ data acquisition is able deep-­ice and that ice flow is affected by such behav- UK Royal Soci- access and ior. In just 2 decades, the notion of the Ant- ety’s Chicheley essential for subglacial lake subsequent in arctic continent as a frozen, unvarying, and Hall for exploration. situ data lifeless place has changed because of the the seventh acquisition is discovery of dynamic and extensive drainage international essential for systems at its base. meeting on subglacial lake The Scientific Committee on Antarctic subglacial lake environments (see http://bit​ exploration. Second, a variety of subglacial Research (SCAR) formed a committee in .ly/SCARLakes).­ The meeting coincided with environments must be considered for explo- 2000 to oversee the exploration of subglacial SCAR’s 20-­year horizon-­scanning exercise, in ration before the full extent of subglacial lakes. Between 2000 and 2009, the commit- which logistics and engineering groups identi- biodiversity and cross correlation of climate tee encouraged the development of three fied 80 questions that could drive research in records can be evaluated. Finally, interna- the Antarctic going tional cooperation is necessary to optimize forward. resources, allowing the sharing of logistics, equipment, and samples. Science Updates Participants debated the merits of targets and Research for future exploration, including deepwater Priorities lakes at the ice sheet center, hydrologically Participants heard active lakes closer to the margin, former sub- how, in February glacial lakes now covered with thin ice, and 2012, Russian scien- deep sedimentary basins where extensive tists drilled into the groundwater may exist. top of Lake Vostok Discussions also revealed that scientists using the Vostok now have an excellent understanding of how Station ice corer and to execute the exploration of a subglacial that this feat was lake, first envisaged 20 years ago for Lake repeated in January Vostok, using hot-­water drilling and a variety 2015. British scien- of instrumentation packages and proven tists explained why, cleanliness techniques. It is entirely feasible in December 2012, an that this and other subglacial lakes can be attempt to access explored thoroughly in the coming decade, Lake Ellsworth was making research priorities set at the meeting halted when a spe- pivotal to the history of Antarctic subglacial cially designed clean exploration. deep-­ice hot-water­ drill experienced technical difficulties. By Martin Siegert, Grantham Institute, Imperial U.S. scientists then College London, London, UK; email: m.siegert@

V. Lipenkov V. described the suc- imperial.ac.uk; John Priscu, Montana State cessful clean access University, Bozeman; and Irina Alekhina, Arctic A view of the bottom of the second ice core to reach Lake Vostok’s surface. The ice-­ and sampling of and Antarctic Research Institute, St. Petersburg, water interface was 3769.15 meters below the ice surface. subglacial Lake Russia

Earth & Space Science News Eos.org // 7 MEETING REPORT

The workshop continued with a review of Modeling the Stratosphere’s results from the few global models that have produced “QBO-like”­ winds in the equatorial “Heartbeat” stratosphere. This review revealed common deficiencies in all current simulations, notably Quasibiennial Oscillation Modeling and Reanalysis Workshop with QBO winds being unrealistically weak in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, 16–18 March 2015 the lowermost stratosphere and having unre- alistically small cycle-­to-cycle­ variability in the model simulations. The review of existing capabilities also highlighted rapidly growing he quasibiennial oscillation (QBO) of the entists to stimulate and coordinate computer efforts at many centers to better represent the prevailing winds in the tropical strato- modeling research on the QBO. The first QBOi upper atmosphere in global models used for T sphere between strong easterlies and workshop, held in mid-­March, attracted operational weather forecasting and long-­ strong westerlies represents the most repeat- 32 scientists from seven countries who term climate projections. able aspect of the circulation in the atmo- reviewed achievements and remaining chal- sphere, other than the astronomically forced lenges in understanding and modeling the Developing a Framework annual and daily cycles. The QBO is believed to QBO. for Testing Models be internally forced in the tropics via the interaction of the prevailing flow with verti- What Do We Know About the QBO? Participants agreed on a framework for coor- cally propagating waves. The workshop began with a review of the basic dinated computational experimentation at Although rooted in low latitudes, the QBO dynamical considerations underlying current the many research centers now involved in has global impacts. It is the “heartbeat” of the theories about the QBO. Attendees agreed that the QBOi. For the initial phase, planned for stratosphere, greatly influencing interannual the current paradigm, in which the QBO is the next 12–18 months, meeting attendees variability in circulation and composition. maintained by the evolution and dissipation of identified two major paths for experimenta- The QBO also affects the circulation at the vertically propagating waves, is sound but that tion. Earth’s surface and is an important consider- questions remain about the dynamics behind First, groups will run long simulations with ation in extended-range­ weather forecasts. the actual switching of the prevailing wind versions of their models that produce the Unfortunately, the QBO itself is not well rep- direction between westerly and easterly in the most realistic mean flow oscillations. The resented in computer models used for weather lowermost stratosphere. Although this groups will then repeat these runs under sig- predictions. Thus, any potential that it offers switching mechanism can be clearly under- nificantly perturbed global climate conditions. for long-range­ weather predictions is not stood in very simplified models of the QBO Participants decided that there should be a being well exploited by current forecasting that artificially constrain winds near the tro- common set of model fields saved at frequent systems. popause, meeting participants felt that in the intervals so that assessors can diagnose the The international QBO initiative (QBOi; see real world this fundamental aspect of the QBO wave–mean flow interactions in these experi- http://bit.ly/IntnlQBOi) is an effort among sci- remains mysterious. ments. As its second focus, the QBOi will also spec- ify ensemble forecast experiments to be run for seasonal time scales from realistic initial states. Following the workshop, the QBOi executive committee created a blog to host ongoing discussion of QBOi issues (see http:// bit.ly/QBOiBlog).

Acknowledgments Lesley Grey and James Anstey provided help key to achieving the workshop goals. We gratefully acknowledge funding from the UK Natural Environment Research Council and the Stratosphere-Troposphere­ Processes and Their Role in Climate project and local support from the Canadian Centre for Climate Model- ling and Analysis. Sharon deCarlo helped pro- duce the illustration.

By Kevin Hamilton, International Pacific Research

Kevin Hamilton Kevin Center, University of Hawai`i, Honolulu; email: Visualization of the monthly mean zonal winds for August 1995 in the approximately 18–40 kilometer altitude region, [email protected]; Scott Osprey, Atmospheric, with the vertical scale greatly exaggerated. The red and blue surfaces enclose regions of strong westerlies and east- Oceanic and Planetary Physics, University of erlies. Plotted data are restricted to 30°S–30°N, and wind data have been time filtered to emphasize variations related Oxford, Oxford, UK; and Neal Butchart, Met to the quasibiennial oscillation. Office Hadley Centre, Exeter, UK

8 // Eos 1 September 2015 OPINION

mate science “grand challenges.” These call Future Directions for the for community focus and rapid progress on the following topics: World Climate Research Programme • clouds and atmospheric circulation • regional sea level • climate extremes • water availability s climate uncertainties increase on continual reexamination. WCRP’s evolution • rapid cryosphere changes many fronts, the international climate must ensure relevant and timely science out- As the WCRP grand challenges developed, A research community is taking stock of comes in the context of immediate and the IPCC, the United Nations organization its current research efforts and developing an longer-term­ efforts to mitigate climate charged with producing periodic climate evolving set of strategies to address these change while recognizing political and funding assessments, was working on its Fifth Assess- uncertainties with relevance and skill. The com- challenges. ment Report (AR5). This report, based largely munity displays a strong sense of urgency and on WCRP-led­ or -coordinated­ research and commitment, even in the face of substantial Research and Assessment Communities modeling activities, was released in 2014. AR5 social, political, and financial obstacles. How- Meet Working Group I (Climate Change 2013: The ever, representatives and leaders of the commu- In the absence of an internationally agreed-­ Physical Science Basis; see http://bit.ly/​ nity must address cuts and redistribution of upon and funded climate research strategy, ­IPCCWG1) placed special emphasis on WCRP’s research funding, support the efforts of numer- the WCRP, on behalf of the World Meteorolog- work. ous volunteers, and develop and disseminate a ical Organization, the International Council The Joint Scientific Committee of WCRP, compelling message to sustain the focus and for Science, and the Intergovernmental working closely with Working Group I lead- commitment of this valuable ers, organized a “Lessons Learnt research community. for Climate Change Research” With partners from the meeting to discuss AR5 soon after national and international its publication. WCRP invited assessments community, more than 75 researchers to con- climate scientists urgently vene in Bern, Switzerland, in need to evaluate recent September 2014, where they research as well as scientific simultaneously evaluated AR5 and political outcomes from and revisited the WCRP grand a mutual and timely vantage challenges. The meeting partici- point of viewing assessment pants, a good mixture of lead report products in light of authors of IPCC AR5 and WCRP ongoing research and, con- project leaders, evaluated climate versely, of scrutinizing the science, WCRP directions and directions of ongoing cli- plans, and future needs for mate research following research and assessments. recent national and interna- The “Lessons Learnt” meeting tional assessments. How- was conducted in partnership ever, valid concerns have with the Technical Support Unit emerged within the research of IPCC Working Group I and the community about the pres- International Space Science Insti- ent focus and impact of cli- tute at the University of Bern. It mate research and about the had substantial financial support probable effort and impact from the Swiss Federal Office for of subsequent assessments. the Environment. Attendees pri- These concerns center marily discussed the Working around the quality of subse- UCAR Group I report, but they also con- quent products: How can the This image, taken from a broader simulation of climate in the 20th century generated by the sidered the reports from Working research community ensure Community Climate Model (CESM), depicts environmental variables including sea surface tem- Group II (Climate Change 2014: substantial rather than peratures and sea ice concentrations. Simulating past conditions and comparing them to past Impacts, Adaptations, and Vulnera- incremental improvements, observations helps scientists verify a model’s accuracy. bility; see http://bit.ly/IPCCWG2) and will the impacts justify and Working Group III (Climate the efforts? Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate To address these concerns, science leaders Oceanographic Commission, assumes the Change; see http://bit.ly/​­IPCCWG3). A few from the World Climate Research Programme daunting tasks of planning and coordinating weeks later, in November 2014, one of us (WCRP) and the Intergovernmental Panel on international efforts on climate research. The (D.C.) attended the 7th Science Steering Com- Climate Change (IPCC) are in deep collabora- WCRP, a multinational consortium established mittee meeting of the World Weather tion. Together, they have outlined several in 1980, has undergone internal refreshment Research Programme (WWRP), where urban knowledge gaps. and refocusing since 2011. environments emerged as one convergent and Speaking for WCRP, we recognize that Following extensive engagement with the overlapping area of mutual focus for WWRP addressing these knowledge gaps requires research community, WCRP identified five cli- and WCRP.

Earth & Space Science News Eos.org // 9 OPINION

agenda and hidden or at least subdued in the WCRP grand challenges. Annual to Decadal Time Scales. The need for greater emphasis on understanding natural variability and forced change on annual to decadal time scales is relevant, and indeed urgent, for predictions of climate extremes (particularly those related to water availabil- ity) and other climate impacts on regional spatial scales. Short-­Lived Climate Forcers. There is a need for better descriptions and incorporation of aerosols and other so-called­ short-lived­ cli- mate forcers into understanding and predic- tion on annual to decadal time scales and on local to regional spatial scales. Biogeochemical Cycles. The need is growing to incorporate interactive components of the carbon and other biogeochemical cycles, including terrestrial and oceanic geochemical and ecological sources and sinks, into analyses The World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) seeks to understand and predict present and future flows of heat, and models. water, and carbon in atmospheric, land, oceanic, and ice systems through skillful use, intercomparison, and sharing of mod- els and observations. WCRP presently focuses its efforts through grand challenges (hexagons). We recognize the need to Thinking Decadally increasingly ensure continuity and fidelity from global climate data to socially useful regionally focused information. Despite great progress in modeling potential future conditions, the goal of increased pre- dictive skill on decadal time scales emerges as No Research Gaps, ularly the previously identified WCRP grand a clarion theme. This theme, although hardly but Knowledge Gaps Remain challenges, in light of these uncertainties. new, suggests an encompassing challenge and The “Lessons Learnt” group in Bern was asked Perhaps not surprising (but certainly not inev- direction for WCRP. As weather forecasting to identify research gaps in AR5, particularly itable), the group found a good match between extends from daily to weekly out to seasonal in the Working Group I report. Their response goals of the WCRP grand challenges and scales, climate predictions must move from was emphatic: almost none. Nearly every knowledge gaps identified in the AR5 Working centennial scales through decadal toward sea- researcher could identify areas of scientific Group I report. sonal. progress since the 2012 and 2013 cutoff dates Weather and climate communities recog- for the AR5 materials. Matching Research Activities nize this need despite enormous scientific and It was no surprise that systematic scrutiny, to Knowledge Gaps technical challenges. We suspect that frag- including a premeeting survey, turned up no Despite an overall coherence between AR5 mented organizational structures, with vari- serious omissions or weaknesses based on the Working Group I knowledge gaps and WCRP ous seasonal and decadal initiatives and proj- research available at the time of the report. plans, a meeting-­wide cross analysis of uncer- ects scattered within WCRP and between The conduct of AR5 and Working Group I pro- tainties versus ongoing activities exposed four WCRP and its weather research counterpart, cesses were thorough, inclusive, and highly areas for which the WCRP’s grand challenges WWRP, reflect a very real scientific complex- professional. Anticipating this result, ity. Unfortunately, this fragmenta- the meeting’s Steering Commit- tion may portend a hesitant approach tee structured meeting topics and Valid concerns have emerged within to integrating these efforts. sessions much more around the issue the research community about the At the same time, we recognize a of knowledge gaps—challenges need for WCRP and WWRP to work ahead rather than omissions behind. present focus and impact of climate together to address urban popula- The overall approach of AR5 was to tions and environments where hourly assign calibrated uncertainty lan- research. to decadal time scales, regional geo- guage to key findings, either through graphic scales, and integrated cou- specifying a qualitative level of confi- pled weather-­climate modeling dence (e.g., medium or low confi- capabilities become more urgent and dence) or, where the science permitted, a seemed either deficient or in need of broad- more challenging. In particular, we under- quantified certainty of assessment conclu- ened or expanded research. stand that local decisions about investments sions. This allowed the Steering Committee to Ocean Heating and Circulation. Ocean heating, in, for example, coastal infrastructure require extract and expose a series of key uncertain- particularly in the deep ocean, was identified mutually consistent predictions of extreme ties in observations, forcing factors, funda- within the WCRP sea level grand challenge and storm events and climate trends. mental understanding, and global and regional was prominent within the premeeting survey. projections. However, ocean heating and circulation, Gathering Data The committee then challenged meeting linked to decadal prediction challenges, Virtually every speaker and every report given participants to assess WCRP activities, partic- seemed too weakly represented in the meeting at the “Lessons Learnt” discussions in Bern

10 // Eos 1 September 2015 OPINION

emphasized a need for better and more sys- • Despite confirmation of the validity, sense of urgency and possibility within that tematic sources of and access to data. Recog- indeed urgency, of the WCRP grand chal- community—the collective overt determina- nizing the extremely positive impact of mete- lenges, we have only a mixed record of imple- tion to not simply repeat past steps or con- orological reanalyses across and beyond mentation and a weak record of public tinue past processes emerging from the “Les- atmospheric research and modeling, we antic- engagement. son Learnt” meeting confirms their ipate movement by the major modeling cen- • Our tendency across WCRP is to overload motivation. ters toward broader Earth system reanalyses. and overwork a few key individuals, especially If we as representatives and leaders fail to It seems timely to initiate a broad effort to female individuals. confront funding, implementation, capacity, gather existing but so far narrowly used cli- • Our most careful and creative products and messaging issues, we risk a serious and mate data products from across the physical, continually and increasingly clash with social disabling loss of confidence and commitment chemical, biological, and ecological communi- or political comfort and convenience. within and across this most valuable climate ties into a more uniform and assimilation-­ WCRP has developed through the accretion resource. friendly format. We recognize substantial of good ideas and worthy plans, reflecting the technical challenges arising from variable emerging complexity and expanding facets Acknowledgments spatial resolutions and temporal extents, but inherent in analysis and prediction of a rapidly We thank Thomas Stocker, cochair of IPCC we contend that such a planetary diagnosis evolving climate system. Although we AR5 Working Group I, and our colleagues effort represents a long-avoided­ task whose describe here the recent and necessary reas- within WCRP and from the Working Group I implementation would reverberate strongly sessment of the WCRP activities, we see a Technical Support Unit for extraordinary through science and data communities. need for additional and continual refinement cooperation and support. in light of priorities and resources. Challenges Ahead With a small number of staff serving man- As WCRP pursues new directions, we confront agement and coordination roles at the center By Guy Brasseur, Chair, WCRP Joint Scientific four interlinked obstacles: and across the projects, WCRP always and Committee; also at Max Planck Institute for Mete- • Funding is decreasing generally, and it is increasingly relies on enthusiastic volunteers orology, Hamburg, Germany; and David Carlson, increasingly earmarked and allocated for pur- who build and sustain the international sci- Director, WCRP, Geneva, Switzerland; email: ​ poses other than fundamental climate research. ence community. We observe an optimistic [email protected]­

Earth & Space Science News Eos.org // 11 A view of the Kellett River, which drains to the west coast of Canada’s Banks Island into the Arctic Ocean. Macdonald W. Robie

12 // Eos 1 September 2015 By Matthew B. Alkire, Andrew D. Jacobson, Gregory O. Lehn, and Robie W. Macdonald

n the north coast of North America, the big- CAA rivers significantly contribute to the total volume of gest river is the Mackenzie, carrying some freshwater draining through Davis Strait. 300 cubic kilometers of freshwater from Canada’s Northwest Territories to the Arctic What Volumes Do Small CAA Rivers Hold? Ocean every year. Ocean currents eventually Only a few CAA rivers are currently gauged, but data avail- bring a fraction of this freshwater between able from the Water Survey of Canada suggest that the Canada and Greenland through Davis Strait and into the mean annual discharge ranges between roughly 3 cubic ONorth Atlantic. kilometers per year (Ellice River) and 16 cubic kilometers Freshwater entering the North Atlantic through the per year (Back River). Compared to the annual discharge of Davis Strait has the potential to disrupt deep convection the Mackenzie River (~300 cubic kilometers per year), and thereby inhibit global thermohaline circulation, an these individual contributions are quite small. important process by which ocean currents redistribute However, Lammers et al. [2001] estimated that the total heat and help moderate the climate. Furthermore, the col- runoff from CAA rivers could be as high as about 200 cubic lection of this river runoff into coastal currents will also kilometers per year. Therefore, when taken together, CAA lower the saturation state of calcium carbonate and exac- rivers may substantially contribute to the amount of Arctic erbate ocean acidification in this already vulnerable area of freshwater draining through Davis Strait. the world. The Mackenzie isn’t the only river draining into the Arc- Sampling the Rivers tic and delivering nutrients to the North Atlantic, however. To determine whether CAA rivers have unique geochemical Numerous smaller rivers flow across the North American signatures, we collected samples from eight CAA rivers mainland and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago (CAA), the during June and July 2014. Working out of small hamlets, islands north of Canada and west of Greenland. we sampled two easily accessible rivers (the Coppermine To assess the importance of these small rivers to fresh- and Kangiqtugaapik rivers) and flew to more remote loca- water export from the Arctic region, we’ve started a project tions to sample the rest (the Ellice, Back, Hayes, Kujjuua, called Assessing the Impact of Small, Canadian Arctic River Cunningham, and Thomsen rivers). To minimize our envi- Flows (SCARFs) to the Freshwater Budget of the Canadian ronmental impact, we consulted with local community Archipelago. This new research project compares the leaders about site selection and hired wildlife monitors to chemical signatures of small rivers spread across the CAA accompany the team into the field. with those of larger North American rivers such as the The sites were chosen far enough upstream to ensure Mackenzie and Yukon. It also seeks to ascertain whether that saltwater was not intruding from the ocean and con-

Earth & Space Science News Eos.org // 13 Robie W. Macdonald W. Robie

The estuary of the Hayes (top) and Back (bottom) rivers in the central Canadian Arctic Archipelago, two of the eight rivers sampled during June–July 2014 as part of a project that aims to assess the impact of small Canadian rivers on the freshwater budget of the Arctic Ocean. The rivers exhibit very different turbidities, marked by a sharp boundary between the turbid Hayes and the transparent Back. Sampling occurred within days of breakup in which small bits of ice continued to drift downstream from the Back River.

taminating them. At each site, researchers waded into the Mackenzie. Overall, CAA rivers have lower alkalinities, as river and used an extendable pole to obtain bulk water well as lower concentrations of barium and DOC, com- samples from the central channel. The bulk samples were pared to the Mac­kenzie River. then filtered and subsampled on shore to determine their However, total alkalinities measured in rivers draining chemical makeup, including major anions (chloride, sul- the western CAA (Coppermine, Cunningham, Kujjuua, fate, and bicarbonate), major cations (calcium, magne- and Thomsen Rivers) approach that of the Mackenzie sium, sodium, potassium, and strontium), barium, stron- River. Six of the eight rivers have similar DOC concentra- tium isotope fractions (87Sr/86Sr), dissolved organic carbon tions that are only slightly lower than that of the Mack- (DOC), stable oxygen isotopes (δ18O), total alkalinity, and enzie River, whereas the two northernmost rivers (Cun- nutrients (nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, phosphate, and ningham and Kangiqtugaapik Rivers) have much lower silicic acid). The team also measured water temperature, concentrations. pH, and conductivity with portable meters and collected One major factor contributing to the difference in bed load sediments. chemical composition between the rivers is the variation Although each site was sampled just prior to or imme- in geology and vegetation within the various drainage diately after the river flows peaked from spring meltwa- basins. For example, the Mackenzie drainage basin ter, the geochemistry is expected to vary slightly as dis- extends primarily through subarctic forests that cover a charge decreases over the summer. To assess seasonal highly erodible mountainous terrain, which fills the river variations, we trained local workers from the communi- with runoff material derived from the diverse rocks that ties of Kugluktuk and Clyde River to collect water sam- get dissolved and suspended in the water [Guay and Falk- ples on a weekly basis between June and October in ner, 1997]. 2014–2016. In contrast, the drainage basins of the smaller CAA riv- ers are much less geologically and biologically diverse. The Mackenzie Versus the Rest of the CAA The area between the Mackenzie River and Hudson Bay, Preliminary results (Figure 1) indicate substantial vari- for example, is composed mostly of Precambrian shield ability among the CAA rivers as well as significant differ- crystalline rocks and tundra [Yunker et al., 2002]. However, ences from larger North American rivers such as the dissolved and suspended materials are not necessarily

14 // Eos 1 September 2015 Cunningham Thomsen

80°N 50 0 0 Kangiqtugaapik 100 -20 70° -20 Chukchi Sea 0 250 Barrow Canadian Arctic -20 60° Canyon Archipelago Bafn Bay 500 (CAA) N. Beaufort Kangiqtugaapik Davis Strait 750 Bering Sea

Depth (m) Cunningham Sea ALASKA Thomsen 1000 Kujjuua 60° 2000 Mackenzie R. Hayes/ Back Coppermine Ellice 3000 150°W CANADA 0 0 90° -20 -20 400 500 120° Hayes Back

)

)

-1

1000 m

(M

)

Ba (nM)

eq kg

m

DOC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

( TA

O (

18 -20 -20 -20 -20 -20 d Mackenzie Coppermine Kujjuua Ellice

Fig. 1. Map of river sampling locations. Bar graphs show the measured values of stable oxygen isotopes (δ18O, red), total alkalinity (TA, dark blue), barium (Ba, green), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC, light blue). Mackenzie River values shown are flow-weighted­ averages from Cooper et al. [2008].

very similar from location to location; we see some that Siberian rivers also have comparatively lower chemi- regional differences across the CAA that we hope to cal concentrations (e.g., barium and total alkalinity), mix- understand further as studies continue. ing the Mackenzie and Yukon waters with freshwater from Another factor is that different basins have different smaller rivers yields a geochemical signature that may look types of water sources for their runoff. Whereas the like Siberian runoff. Mackenzie River receives waters from lakes and numer- This similarity may make it hard to distinguish between ous tributaries extending far southward, the CAA rivers freshwater from the major North American rivers, from have much smaller drainage basins contained entirely the CAA rivers, and from the Siberian rivers exiting the within the Arctic Circle. As a result, seasonal accumula- Arctic Ocean via Nares Strait. Studies focused on the geo- tions of snowmelt and glacial discharge contribute a com- chemical composition of the freshwater exiting the Arctic paratively larger fraction of the annual runoff. via Nares and Davis straits are critical for better under- These combined effects create distinct chemical weath- standing freshwater export to the North Atlantic. ering regimes that produce geochemical signatures starkly different from those of the Mackenzie River. We Current River Sampling intend to continue our chemical analysis to find out more Currently, we are in the middle of our 2015 field season. We about these rivers and their drainage basins. have revisited three of our sites—the Coppermine, Back and Hayes, and Ellice rivers—and have successfully col- Identifying the Origin of North Atlantic Freshwater lected samples from each. We have also collected samples The freshwater that flows through the CAA peaks during from the estuaries adjoining these rivers using small summer months and tends to be concentrated in currents inflatable boats equipped with outboard motors and a that swiftly flow along the southern coasts of various pumping system to collect water from eight depths that channels toward Baffin Bay [e.g., Melling et al., 2008]. extend from the surface down to 15 meters. These currents then move through Davis Strait and into The samples should allow us to capture important geo- the North Atlantic. Thus, the incorporation of discharge chemical modifications to river water as it enters more from numerous CAA rivers into these boundary currents saline waters of higher ionic strength. We also get an idea may significantly impact the chemical signature of fresh- of the size of the river plume and how it spreads into each water getting into the North Atlantic. estuary. If these rivers indeed influence freshwater export Using a CastAway® conductivity-­temperature-depth­ through Davis Strait, their comparatively dilute chemical profiler, we can gauge the total volume of freshwater signatures likely serve to lessen chemical concentrations within the estuaries. Estimating volumes is important, observed from North America’s runoff as a whole. Given especially for rivers that are not gauged.

Earth & Space Science News Eos.org // 15 Robie W. Macdonald W. Robie The team collects water from the Kangiqtugaapik River (near Clyde River) while explaining the process to Esa Qillaq and Noire Iqaluqjuak, residents of Clyde River hired to collect samples on a weekly basis between June and October 2014–2016. In the image, Matt Alkire wades into the river and collects water from the central channel using an extendable pole, Greg Lehn rinses the bottle three times before a final sample is kept, and John Kelly (far right) explains the sampling process to Qillaq and Iqaluqjuak.

In conjunction with salinity, oxygen and strontium Ulukhaktok, Sachs Harbour, and Clyde River for their isotopic compositions will be used to quantify contribu- help and support of this work. tions from river runoff, sea ice melt, and submarine groundwater discharge (the outflow of fresh groundwa- References ter from the offshore seabed). Finally, we will determine Cooper, L. W., J. W. McClelland, R. M. Holmes, P. A. Raymond, J. J. Gibson, C. K. Guay, and B. J. Peterson (2008), Flow-weighted­ values of runoff tracers (δ18O, DOC, the likelihood that river runoff will get caught up in the Ba, alkalinity) from the six largest Arctic rivers, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L18606, eastward flowing boundary currents moving toward Baf- doi:10.1029/2008GL035007. fin Bay and eventually to Davis Strait and the North Guay, C. K., and K. K. Falkner (1997), Barium as a tracer of Arctic halocline and river waters, Deep Sea Res., Part II, 44, 1543–1569. Atlantic. Lammers, R. B., A. I. Shiklomanov, C. J. Vörösmarty, B. M. Fekete, and B. J. Peterson Similar data collection campaigns are planned for the (2001), Assessment of contemporary Arctic river runoff based on observational dis- charge records, J. Geophys. Res., 106(D4), 3321–3334. 2016 field season. Melling, H., T. A. Agnew, K. K. Falkner, D. A. Greenberg, C. M. Lee, A. Münchow, B. Petrie, Data, associated reports, and tutorials summarizing S. J. Prinsenberg, R. M. Samelson, and R. A. Woodgate (2008), Fresh-water­ fluxes via project goals, sampling strategies, and analytical tech- Pacific and Arctic outflows across the Canadian polar shelf, in Arctic-Subarctic­ Ocean Fluxes: Defining the Role of the Northern Seas in Climate, edited by R. R. Dickson, niques are available on the project website (http://www​ J. Meincke, and P. Rhines, pp. 193–247, Springer, New York. .canadianriversproject.org/). Data are also copied to the Yunker, M. B., S. M. Backus, E. G. Pannatier, D. S. Jeffries, and R. W. Macdonald (2002), Sources and significance of alkane and PAH hydrocarbons in Canadian Arctic rivers, Cooperative Arctic Data and Information Service of the Estuarine Coastal Shelf Sci., 55, 1–31. Arctic Observing Network. Author Information Acknowledgments Matthew B. Alkire, Applied Physics Laboratory, University This project was funded by the National Science Founda- of Washington, Seattle; email:[email protected]; tion under grant OPP-1303766. We­ thank John Kelly; Andrew D. Jacobson and Gregory O. Lehn, Earth and Plan- Kenn Borek Air, Ltd.; Polar Field Services; Parks Canada; etary Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.; and the Ilisaqsivik Society; and the Hunters & Trappers Orga- Robie W. Macdonald, Institute of Ocean Sciences, Fisheries nizations of Kugluktuk, Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, and Oceans Canada, Sidney, British Columbia, Canada

16 // Eos 1 September 2015 Earth & Space Science News Eos.org // 17 The Honors and Recognition Committee and the Union Medals, Fellows, Awards, and Prizes Committees are very pleased to present the 2015 AGU Union Honorees

For a full list of Honorees visit honors.agu.org

18 // Eos 1 September 2015 Making the Northern Indian Ocean a Hub of Geomagnetic Data By Kusumita Arora, Nandini Nagarajan, Alan Thomson, and Alik Ismail-­Zadeh

A new initiative seeks to unite and network the magnetic research community in the northern Indian Ocean region.

arth’s magnetism is a complex, dynamic phe- core, and how much do the planet’s mantle and crust con- nomenon, resulting from the motions of tribute to the overall magnetic field? And what can varia- charged particles in the core, mantle, and tions in the geomagnetic field tell us about its interactions ocean, as well as from static magnetic materials with solar and interplanetary magnetic fields as well as in the crust. what’s under the surface? Although geoscientists have known for nearly Answers to these questions are of interest not just to aca- two centuries that the Earth behaves like a magnet, they are demics. They can also help prospectors looking for minerals Estill unraveling many mysteries. For instance, how is the or oil, and they are critical to protecting assets such as satel- magnetic field generated and sustained by the Earth’s outer lites from solar storms. But getting a precise map of the

Magnetic declination in and around South Asia. Contour interval is 2°; red contours are positive (east); blue contours are negative (west); green is the zero line. The Uniting and Networking the Magnetic Community in the Northern Indian Ocean Region (MAGNIO) initiative aims to provide higher contour density

NOAA/NGDC & CIRES NOAA/NGDC than what can be found in this snippet of the World Magnetic Field Model.

EarthEarth & & Space Space Science Science News News Eos.org // 19 Earth’s magnetism requires robust sources of data span- 18 million square kilometers that although prone to sig- ning the planet. nificant magnetic field variations, hosts relatively few Such data are lacking over many areas of the world. A (around 20) observatories with stable data series. Com- new initiative, Uniting and Networking the Magnetic Com- pounding the shortage of facilities, technical and other munity in the Northern Indian Ocean Region (MAGNIO), is problems have caused breaks in data records at many of now trying to fill a geomagnetic data gap in one of the the region’s existing magnetic observatories. world’s least surveyed areas: the northern Indian Ocean. This sparse data coverage is especially unfortunate because the NIO is a prime location to estimate and A Magnetic World model the effects of several important geomagnetic Researchers monitor variations in the geomagnetic field phenomena, such as the equatorial electrojet—a daytime from the ground or from space. The gathered data, along ribbon of east-­west current within the ionosphere that with improved modeling techniques, enable scientists to flows roughly along the magnetic equator (where mag- produce precise estimates of contributions to the overall netic inclination is zero). The region is also a good place geomagnetic field from the ocean, crust, mantle, and to study solar quiet currents, which are generated by core. Input data from locations evenly distributed over worldwide solar-driven­ winds in the ionosphere and the globe are critical for a well-­defined and realistic result in a daily enhancement of magnetic fields model of geomagnetism [Christensen and Olsen, 2003; [Pedatella et al., 2011; Onwumechili, 1997]. Sabaka et al., 2004]. Magnetic variation in the NIO also contains the signals Scientists use magnetic field anomalies to explore for of electromagnetic induction caused by the ocean waters minerals in the crust, delineate ocean currents, monitor as well as subsurface conductive bodies, which most field variations in real time for drilling applications, and commonly are associated with the presence of fluids or prospect for oil and gas in off-­shore areas. Scientists thermal anomalies in the crust and mantle. Thus, study also try to model the variations of the geomagnetic field of the magnetic field could also help geologists decipher to assess how baseline readings skew navigation and to the crust-mantle­ configuration associated with the protect satellite-­ and ground-based­ technology from the Indian Ocean geoid low (where the Earth’s surface devi- effects of magnetic disturbances in the Earth’s magne- ates from the ellipsoidal shape by more than 100 meters) tosphere and ionosphere resulting from solar storms. and the Andaman-Sumatra­ subduction zones, which produce megaearthquakes and tsunamis [Kuvshinov, Sparse Data 2008]. Some parts of the globe, especially Europe, have dense When combined with data from the European Space networks of geomagnetic monitors. But other regions Agency’s satellite-­based Swarm Mission, a constellation produce little geomagnetic data. One of these is the of three satellites carrying highly accurate magnetome- northern Indian Ocean (NIO), a region encompassing ters, concurrent ground measurements could be espe-

Geomagnetic observatories of the world. The black rectangle indicates the northern Indian Ocean region. Credit: INTERMAGNET.

20 // Eos 1 September 2015 The Northern Indian Ocean is a prime location to estimate and model the effects of several important geomagnetic phenomena.

cially valuable in helping scientists resolve structures of opportunity to augment satellite measurements, which at the shallow subsurface and fine details of the ionosphere. best record highly accurate but temporally sparse data at a particular position only once in several days. Existing Regional Initiatives in the NIO Strengthened with the addition of continuous time Several countries in this region, including India, Pakistan, series from ground stations, the satellite data will con- Myanmar, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam (Figure 1), tribute to models of equatorial magnetic variations. have long made magnetic measurements for different Such models could be used for diverse scientific and applications. These countries’ geological and meteorologi- technocommercial activities, including exploration, navi- cal agencies produce maps of magnetic field anomalies for gation, satellite communication, and deep drilling. Thus, exploration, identify short–time scale variations in the establishing links between scientists and stakeholders local magnetic field, and build continuous observatories could be mutually beneficial for all. and arrays for studying source fields and electromagnetic induction occurring in the Earth’s crust. MAGNIO Objectives In 2010 the National Geophysical Research Institute of The ICSU Grants Programme supports collaborative scien- the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-­ tific initiatives of relevance to science and society through NGRI) in India along with other partners initiated a project seed funds for the duration of only 1 year. The grant was for continuous measurement of magnetic variations at awarded for 2014–2015, and we plan on using it to leverage islands in the northern Indian Ocean. At present five island funds from other sources. observatories are operating, three in the Andaman-­ In addition, we plan to pursue the MAGNIO project goals Nicobar region and two in the Lakshadweep-­Maldives area. through a variety of programs and activities: The new data have produced encouraging preliminary • running MAGNIO-focused­ sessions during various results, highlighting links between variability of magnetic international workshops and seminars to bring variations and ionosphere-atmosphere­ interactions togetther data producers and users to discuss issues [Hamid et al., 2014; Chandrasekhar et al., 2014], as well as pertaining to data requirements and the current correlations between subsurface geometry and models of constraints on acquisition induced response of ocean-continent­ boundaries [Samrock • documenting and implementing common practices of and Kuvshinov, 2013]. data acquisition and analysis and consolidating results and findings over the NIO region MAGNIO: A Regional Network • enhancing participation of data acquisition agencies In recognition of efforts to expand the geographical range from India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, of magnetic observations, the International Council of Vietnam, and Myanmar by pooling their data, thereby Science (ICSU) awarded funding to the International providing coherent data coverage Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), with the goal of • benchmarking magnetic measurements in the region uniting and networking the magnetic community in the against international standards of observatory prac- northern Indian Ocean region. The IUGG project team tice (as stipulated by the International Real-­Time includes researchers from CSIR-NGRI­ in India, the Indian Magnetic Observatory Network (INTERMAGNET)) National Science Academy, the Regional Office for Asia • seeding a forum or platform that will continue to and Pacific in Malaysia, and the World Data Center (WDC) grow and develop the activities of the current project, for Geomagnetism at the British Geological Survey in so that existing and new observation groups as well as Edinburgh. This core group created the MAGNIO project. user groups are linked to a coherent regional database The MAGNIO project aims to establish links between interested agencies—those who use magnetic data for Recent Efforts regional interests and global modeling—and those gener- Now that MAGNIO has been operating for about a year, ating data, including nations and institutions that would several initiatives are well under way. During the XVI like to begin or revive magnetic data acquisition proce- International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy dures. Therefore, both the producers and users of magnetic (IAGA) Workshop last year, we organized training classes, data need to be identified and linked in this initiative. lectures, and hands-on­ activities for the benefit of observ- Pooling existing data into an integrated database could ers from NIO countries and others attending the workshop. provide a valuable knowledge base in the region. Such an Participants from Maldives, Sri Lanka, and India were effort would require the close involvement of agencies present. During this workshop several agencies in Europe that acquire the data. expressed interest in collaborating with stakeholders in For example, new ground-­based measurements of the NIO. magnetic variations with a time resolution of 1 minute or Last year we also made a presentation on the goals and better in the NIO region would provide an ideal window of intentions of MAGNIO at the International Conference on

Earth & Space Science News Eos.org // 21 Data Sharing and Integration for Global Sustainability • encourage all participant observatories to upload data (SCIDATACON) Workshop. Participants discussed several to the WDC (Geomagnetism) in Edinburgh issues relevant to geomagnetic data, including how to • include the user community in the forum/consortium bring the same standards of visibility, funding, and utility for appropriate usage of improved products to data archiving and preservation that the research com- We recognize that the concept of real- time data sharing munity has achieved with data acquisition. is novel to many agencies in the region. However, as we Future meetings and discussions with stakeholders and progress with our objectives, the mutual benefits of access collaborators are planned for early next year. should smooth the way to greater collaboration. CSIR- NGRI has initiated dialogue with the University of We hope to build on this progress so that MAGNIO and Pera deniya in Sri Lanka to set up a new observatory in that the longer- term organization that emerges from it can country. Observatories in the Philippines and Indonesia integrate researchers and users in NIO more fully into the have also expressed interest in being part of the MAGNIO global scientific community, with benefits for all. project and subsequent follow-up programs. References Future Steps Chandrasekhar, N. P., et al. (2014), Evidence of short spatial variability of the equatorial electrojet at close longitudinal separation, Earth Planets Space, 66, 110–125. In the first phase of MAGNIO operations, we are pursuing Christensen, U. R., and P. Olson (2003), Secular variation in numerical geodynamo the following activities: models with lateral variations of boundary heat fl ow, Phys. Earth Planet Inter., 138, establishing contacts among targeted observatories in 39–54. • Hamid, N. S. A., et al. (2014), Relationship between the equatorial electrojet and global the northern Indian Ocean region Sq currents at the dip equator region, Earth Planets Space, 66, 146–157. • evaluating the observatories in terms of instrumenta- Kuvshinov, A. V. (2008), 3-D global induction in the oceans and solid Earth: Recent tion, data acquisition, and processing progress in modeling magnetic and electric fi elds from sources of magnetospheric, ionospheric and oceanic origin, Surv. Geophys., 29, 139–186, doi:10.1007/s10712- • defining a scheme and creating documents for 008- 9045- z. upgrading, standardizing, networking, and archiving Onwumechili, C. A. (1997), The Equatorial Electrojet, Gordon and Breach, Amsterdam. data from geomagnetic observatories Pedatella, N. M., J. M. Forbes, and A. D. Richmond (2011), Seasonal and longitudinal variations of the solar quiet (Sq) current system during solar minimum determined • planning for a future meeting of representatives from by CHAMP satellite magnetic fi eld observations, J. Geophys. Res., 116, A04317, participating observatories doi:10.1029/2010JA016289. Progress on the above activities is well under way. Sabaka, T. J., et al. (2004), Extending comprehensive models of the Earth’s magnetic fi eld with Oersted and CHAMP data, Geophys. J. Int., 159, 521–547. We envision that the culmination of the MAGNIO project Samrock, F., and A. Kuvshinov (2013), Tippers at island observatories: Can we use will be the formation of a forum or consortium that will them to probe electrical conductivity of the Earth’s crust and upper mantle?, Geo- phys. Res. Lett., 40, 824–828, doi:10.1002/grl.50218. develop further action plans, depending on priority areas of interest of the participants and availability of funds. We anticipate that this group will do the following: Author Information • make a decision on the recording and delivery of Kusumita Arora and Nandini Nagarajan, National Geophysical 1- second or 1- minute data Research Institute, Council of Scientifi c and Industrial Research, • prepare a website to facilitate compilation of infor- Hyderabad, India; email: [email protected]; Alan Thomson, mation and easy exchange between participants and World Data Centre for Geomagnetism, British Geological Sur- to handle technical and scientific queries vey, Edinburgh, U. K.; and Alik Ismail-Zadeh, Karlsruhe Institute • implement the actual processes of upgrading, stan- of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany, and the Russian Academy dardizing, networking, and archiving data of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

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22 // Eos 1 September 2015 RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

Past Phosphorus Runoff Causes Present Oxygen Depletion in Lakes 0) ND 2.0 (http://bit.ly/ccbyncnd2- ­ ND 2.0 NC- ­ ­ CC BY- Gustave Deghilage, A view of Lake Geneva. New research shows that phosphorus-containing­ fertilizers may have permanently shifted the oxygen balance in Alpine lakes.

nder normal conditions, plenty of oxygen can be found below The authors also observed something curious: The lakes remained the surface of lakes, rivers, and oceans. However, human hypoxic even after phosphorus usage was curtailed later in the 1960s U activity since the 1950s appears to be wreaking havoc on and 1970s, suggesting that the balance had been permanently shifted, underwater oxygen supply. likely because of the change in the internal loads of organic matter Jenny et al. examined the oxygen levels in three lakes in the French and phosphorus. Temperature was not shown to have caused the Alps over the course of the past 11,500 years. Using sediment cores, regime shift to hypoxia in the lake but did change how much of the which preserve a layer-­by-­layer history of the lakes’ environments, the lake was affected by hypoxia: Increased temperatures increased the team observed a sharp drop off in oxygen levels during the early 1950s. affected volume, whereas decreased temperatures and increased river They attribute the decline to the phosphorus-­containing compounds flow into the lake shrank it. that gained popularity in agriculture around the same time. As rainwa- Accordingly, the authors suggest that restoring the natural winter ter washed phosphorus fertilizers and urban wastewaters into tributar- river flood regime now limited by dams could help correct the oxygen ies, the overall nutrient level in the lakes rose to unnaturally high lev- depletion and counteract the effects of global warming and phospho- els, allowing bacteria and algae to flourish. As these creatures grew in rus pollution. (Global Biogeochemical Cycles, doi:10.1002/​2014GB004932, number, they consumed the lake’s oxygen, depleting its supply. 2014) —David Shultz, Freelance Writer

Earth & Space Science News Eos.org // 23 RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

Rethinking How Tropical Convection Works

he Walker circulation is an east–west or west–east trending air circulation pattern located over the tropics and forms one of two T major convective patterns in Earth’s tropical atmosphere. Spe- cifically over the tropical Pacific, air just above the surface flows from east to west; as warm air rises over the western Pacific, it produces rain clouds, which wring the air of moisture. This lofted cool air trav- els east across the Pacific until it sinks, pushing air on the surface back to the west and completing the cycle, forming a convection cell. This air circulation drives global weather patterns and is tied to monsoons—as well as to the El Niño effect, in which this circulation grinds to a halt and then reverses. This disrupts weather patterns around the world, causing tens of billions of dollars in economic

damage. NOAA Scientists typically model the Walker circulation in the atmosphere A schematic of Walker circulation cells during neutral conditions. including the effect of damping—in which the winds lose energy due to friction and radiative cooling. This is a standard feature throughout simulate the atmospheric wave patterns that account for heat and climate models of the tropics. momentum losses, including any damping. They found that damping Now Stechmann and Ogrosky have overturned this conventional wis- wasn’t necessary to model the Walker circulation and that variations dom, discovering that damping does not play a major part in the in the amount of cloud heating in the atmosphere are responsible for Walker circulation and does not need to be included in simulations. its behavior. Instead, they revamped the model for the Walker circulation: The cur- The team also discovered that these variations in cloud heating are rents of air simply depend on the natural response to the atmosphere proportional to the amount of energy that radiates from Earth into being heated by clouds. space, called the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR). This allowed the The authors analyzed data collected by the National Oceanic and team to use satellite observations of OLR to estimate atmospheric Atmospheric Administration and National Centers for Environmental heating. This means that future studies could use such satellite data— Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research to reconstruct including archived data—to easily estimate the strength of the Walker the large-­scale atmospheric wave patterns that accompany Walker circulation over time. (Geophysical Research Letters, doi:10.1002/​ circulation and reflect its strength. They then used a simple model to 2014GL062257, 2014) —Catherine Minnehan, Freelance Writer What Climate Information Is Most Useful for Predicting Floods?

atural climatic cycles such as the El Niño–Southern Oscillation might, at least in those regions where standard climate indices have little and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) can have a strong predictive ability. N influence on floods and other weather events across the globe. The authors built a two-­step probabilistic model that relies on a cli- As a result, measures of these climatic cycles’ strength could help matic field to predict the occurrence of floods in an area. The approach predict how hydrological phenomena could unfold. uses a probabilistic model to extract from the climate field the most However, standard indices that quantify the cycles’ intensities relevant information for the target area. From there, the authors do often reduce these large-scale,­ three-­dimensional phenomena to a another set of calculations that provide the probabilities of occurrence single number. As a result, these indices may vary strongly in their of these extreme events. predictive ability from place to place. As Renard and Lall found, bas- To test their framework, the authors pitted it against three climate indi- ing predictions on a model that uses raw climatic data yielded more ces: the NAO index, the Scandinavian pattern, and the east Atlantic–­ reliable predictions in a western Russia oscillation. In their case study, the authors compared their case study involving floods. predictions for the number of autumn floods in 16 catchments in southern Climate fields are France against predictions informed by the three climate indices. defined as observations of a The authors found that their model made much more reliable predic- climatic variable that spans tions than the indices did. In particular, under specific climate condi- a large spatial domain. tions, their model was able to predict the occurrence of extreme events Because a climate field does with high probability, whereas predictions based on climate indices did not reduce data to a single not have the capacity to make such predictions. The authors say that number, the authors sug- although their method holds promise, future work should scrutinize gest it could produce more the assumptions that the model makes about the relationships between

Guillaume Dramais, Irstea accurate predictions than a climate and hydrology. (Water Resources Research, doi:10.1002/​ A typical flood in southern France. numerical climate index 2014WR016277, 2014) —Puneet Kollipara, Freelance Writer

24 // Eos 1 September 2015 RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

How Did the Moon Get Its Shape?

cientists have known for hundreds of years that the The authors investigated whether impact basins, volcanic Moon’s rotational and tidal bulges are much larger plains, and other lunar gravity anomalies could contrib- Sthan expected. The deformation is thought to be ute to the lunar figure. They found that one single a remnant from when the Moon orbited much impact basin—the giant South Pole–­Aitken closer to Earth than it does today. The problem basin on the far side of the Moon (and the larg- is, the bulges we see require an unusual eccen- est impact basin in the inner solar system)— tric orbit—one that scientists do not think could explain most of the Moon’s anomalous the Moon ever had. Keane and Matsuyama figure. solved this problem by discovering a new Accounting for the South Pole–Aitken component to the Moon’s global figure. basin (and 30 other large gravity anoma- The Moon is not perfectly spherical lies), they found that the Moon’s figure because strong forces pull it in different actually formed on a low-­eccentricity, directions. There are two main forces: synchronous orbit, consistent with what

bulging at the equator due to lunar rotation ) scientists believe for the early orbit of the ­0 - 2 and bulging on the nearside and farside due y Moon. Furthermore, the formation of the b c c / to tidal forces between the Earth and the y basin reoriented the entire Moon approxi- .l it /b Moon. The observed lunar deformation is :/ mately 20°. p tt h much larger than scientists would expect, given ( Thus, not only did the South Pole–Aitken .0 2 Y the Moon’s current orbit and rotation rate. Scien- B basin reshape the Moon, but it even slightly C , C tists believe that this extra deformation arises because SA changed which side of the Moon we see from NA the Moon “froze” its shape billions of Earth. (Geophysical Research Letters, years ago when it orbited closer to Earth and The Moon’s impact basins can help scientists investigate its doi:10.1002/2014GL061195, 2014) —Catherine thus had much larger forces pulling on it. mysterious deformation. Minnehan, Freelance Writer

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Earth & Space Science News Eos.org // 25 POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Atmospheric Sciences emphasis on interdisciplinary activi- ties involving particles and their roles AGU’s Career Center is the main resource for Associate Professional Specialist/ in air quality and climate. Studies recruitment advertising. Professional Specialist Position in linking fundamental chemistry to bio- Intraseasonal-to-Decadal Real-time logical effects of air pollutants are of Predictions and Predictability particular interest. Candidates must All Positions Available and additional job postings can be Research have a PhD in Chemistry or a related In collaboration with NOAA’s Geo- field. Preference will be given to viewed at https://eos.org/jobs-support. physical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory applicants who have a demonstrated (GFDL), the Atmospheric and Oceanic record in applying fundamental AGU offers printed recruitment advertising in Eos to Sciences Program at Princeton Univer- chemistry to problems of atmospheric reinforce your online job visibility and your brand. sity is seeking candidates with a strong significance. The position requires computational and technical back- both the establishment of a vigorous ground to fill an associate professional research program and a strong com- Contact [email protected] for more information specialist/professional specialist posi- mitment to excellence in teaching at about reserving an online job posting with a printed Eos tion. both the undergraduate and graduate recruitment advertisement. Candidates will join a vibrant levels. Applications must be submit- research team and play a leading role ted electronically via the Internet at: in supporting real-time seasonal fore- https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/apply/ casting of climate using complex mod- JPF02997. Applicants should upload a LINE LISTING RATES: els simulating the Earth system. The cover letter, a curriculum vita (includ- ➢ position will require performing pre- ing a publication list), and a concise dictions every month, as well as statement of proposed research. A ➢ $0.26 per character for each additional issue of publication $0.32 per character for first issue of publication research into predictability. This will separate statement that addresses involve configuration, running and past and/or potential contributions to STUDENT OPPORTUNITY RATES: analysis of state-of-the-art coupled diversity, equity and inclusion should ➢ No Cost up to 500 characters climate models running on supercom- also be included in the application puters. materials. Names and contact infor- ➢ Initial appointment is for one year mation for three references must be $0.16 per character for each additional issue of publication with the possibility of renewal subject provided; letters should not be ➢ $0.16 per character over 500 characters for first issue of publication to satisfactory performance and avail- requested at this time. Applications able funding. Some amount of travel and supporting materials should be EMPLOYMENT DISPLAY ADVERTISING RATES (to conferences or workshops) may be received by October 1, 2015 for full

(OPEN RATE, BLACK AND WHITE): required. Salary commensurate with consideration. The University of Cali- experience. fornia is an Equal Opportunity/Affir- ➢ Full Page : $5,500.00 net Complete applications, including a mative Action Employer advancing Half Page: $2,160.00 net CV, copies of recent publications, inclusive excellence. All qualified ➢ names and contact information for at applicants will receive consideration ➢ Third Page: $1,450.00 net least 3 references are required in order for employment without regard to to solicit letters of recommendation; race, color, religion, sex, national ori- ➢ Quarter Page: $1,090.00 net applications should be submitted by gin, disability, age, protected veteran Sixth Page: $730.00 net October 15, 2015 for full consideration. status, or other protected categories ➢ Applicants should apply online to covered by the UC nondiscrimination ➢ Eighth Page: $590.00 net http://jobs.princeton.edu, Requisition policy. #1500566. For additional information, To view all employment display ad sizes, visit ➢ contact Gabriel Vecchi (gabriel.a.​ vecchi@​­ ​ Postdoctoral Scientist in “Multi- http://sites.agu.org/media-kits/files/2014/12/ noaa.gov).­ Decadal Internal Climate Variability Eos-Employment-Advertising.pdf This position is subject to the Uni- and Its Role in Climate Change” versity’s background check policy. The Atmospheric and Oceanic Sci- COLOR RATES: Princeton University is an equal oppor- ences Program at Princeton University, tunity employer and all qualified appli- in cooperation with NOAA’s Geophysi- ➢ One Color: $315.00 net cants will receive consideration for cal Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL), employment without regard to race, seeks a postdoctoral scientist for ➢ Full Color: $980.00 net color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, research related to multi-decadal gender identity, national origin, dis- internal (natural) climate variability ability status, protected veteran status, and its potential role in explaining or any other characteristic protected by observed climate changes. A key focus law. Eos is published semi-monthly on the 1st and 15th of every is to improve understanding of the role ➢ of low frequency internal climate vari- month. Deadlines for ads in each issue are published at FACULTY POSITIONS IN ATMO- ability in the current “hiatus” in global http://sites.agu.org/media-kits/eos-advertising-deadlines/. SPHERIC CHEMISTRY at the Univer- warming, as well as previous hiatus sity of California, Irvine and accelerated-warming periods accepts employment and open position advertisements The Department of Chemistry at during the 20th century. Such under- ➢ Eos the University of California, Irvine standing plays an important role in the from governments, individuals, organizations, and academic (Irvine, California), has two openings detection and attribution of observed institutions. We reserve the right to accept or reject ads at for outstanding scientists in atmo- climate changes. The research will use spheric chemistry. It is anticipated various approaches to understand the our discretion. that one will be at the Assistant Pro- physical mechanisms causing the fessor and one at Full Professor level, observed decadal changes including ➢ Eos is not responsible for typographical errors. although applicants at all levels will be quantification of contributions from considered. These positions are part both internal climate variability and of an integrated, across-campus ini- responses of the climate system to var- * Print-only recruitment ads will only be allowed for those whose requirements include that positions must be tiative in air quality and climate. We ious natural and anthropogenic forcing advertised in a printed/paper medium. seek to build this initiative through agents (e.g., greenhouse gases, aero- cross-cutting and transformative sols, and volcanic eruptions). The research programs that complement research will make extensive use of existing activities at UCI, with an both observations and a variety of

26 // Eos 1 September 2015 POSITIONS AVAILABLE

modeling tools. The selected candidate Candidates will be expected to field-based geoscience research to research accomplishments of peer-­ will have a Ph.D. and one or more of engage in instruction at both the quantitative sustainability themes. reviewed publications, a consistent the following attributes: (a) a strong undergraduate and graduate levels and Areas of expertise may include, but are record of peer-reviewed funding as a background in climate/ocean dynamics enhance the Department’s existing not limited to: catchment hydrology in PI, current active competitive grants, or coupled air-sea interactions, (b) curriculum, and to maintain high ped- urban, managed, and natural systems; and a strong and successful graduate experience conducting and analyzing agogical standards in the courses land-atmosphere interactions; soil and undergraduate teaching and coupled climate model experiments, being taught. The position will include moisture analysis; the interacting roles mentoring record. Applicants must and (c) strong diagnostic skills in ana- other faculty-related activities, of climate variability and land use hold a Ph.D. degree in ocean or earth lyzing simulated and observed data including advising undergraduate stu- change on hydrologic processes; or sciences or a related science disci- sets. dents and service on departmental physical models of ecohydrologic and pline and postdoctoral experience is This is a two-year position (subject committees. The successful candidate hydropedologic processes from the plot preferred. The successful candidate to renewal after the first year contin- will complement and advance existing to the global scale. The successful can- will demonstrate strong potential for gent upon satisfactory performance water- and energy-related research didate will complement existing outstanding accomplishments in and funding availability) based at and education activities within the research clusters and establish an research and teaching as an individ- GFDL/NOAA in Princeton, New Jersey. Penn State Institutes of Energy and externally- funded, internationally ual and as a member of collaborative Complete applications, including a CV, the Environment (PSIEE; http://www. recognized research program. teams. publication list, names of 3 references psiee.psu.edu). This position is one of Review of applicants will begin on The department has a robust under- for letters of recommendation, and a four new faculty positions in water October 15, 2015 and continue until the graduate and graduate program with one-to-two page statement of research science, engineering, and policy that position is filled. A PhD is required at students pursuing BS, MS and PhD interests should be submitted. Review will be filled over the next three years the time of appointment, with an degrees and the successful applicant of applications will begin as soon as in conjunction with the creation of a anticipated start date in Fall 2016. will be expected to teach undergradu- they are received and continue until new interdisciplinary PSIEE Water Please apply online to: https://​ ate and graduate courses that support the position is filled. Applicants Institute. This water initiative serves ­facultysearch.as.pitt.edu/apply/index/ our existing curricula in ocean and should apply online to http://jobs. to expand the already strong and OTY=. Applications should include: 1) earth sciences as well as graduate princeton.edu, Requisition #1500509. diverse interdisciplinary program of a cover letter; 2) a CV; 3) statements of courses in his/her area of specialty. For additional information on the posi- water and energy research and educa- research and teaching interests; 4) Many opportunities exist for disci- tion, please contact Rong Zhang (Rong. tion at Penn State. names and contact information of four plinary and interdisciplinary interac- [email protected]) or Tom Knutson A Ph.D. is required at time of references; and 5) copies of three rele- tions with more than 25 other faculty ([email protected]). This posi- appointment. Post-doctoral or aca- vant publications. Direct questions to in OEAS, its Centers for Coastal Physi- tion is subject to the University’s back- demic experience and extramural grant the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Dan- cal Oceanography and Quantitative ground check policy. writing experience are desired. The iel Bain, [email protected], 412-624- Fisheries Ecology and other centers Princeton University is an equal ability to communicate effectively, to 8766. The University of Pittsburgh is and departments within the university. opportunity employer and all qualified provide leadership, and to contribute an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportu- Information about the Department and applicants will receive consideration to the land-grant mission of the Uni- nity Employer and values equality of its facilities can be found at: http:// for employment without regard to race, versity is important. An ability to relate opportunity, human dignity and www.odu.edu/oeas. color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, to a diverse population of faculty, staff, diversity. Applications should contain a cover gender identity, disability status, pro- and students is required. letter, CV, succinct teaching and tected veteran status, or any other Visit http://apptrkr.com/635469 to Ocean Sciences research statements, copies of three characteristic protected by law. apply. Applications received by Sep- relevant publications published in the tember 30, 2015 will receive full con- Oceanography - Coastal Systems and last five years and contact information Hydrology sideration, though review will continue Processes - Assistant/Associate Pro- for three professional references. until the position is filled. Candidates fessor Complete applications must be sub- ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, HYDROLO- will need to upload a curriculum vitae, The Department of Ocean, Earth and mitted electronically as a single PDF GIST copies of transcripts, statements of Atmospheric Sciences at Old Dominion file at https://jobs.odu.edu/. Please The Department of Ecosystem Sci- teaching and research experiences and University invites applications for a submit this PDF file under the category ence and Management and the Penn interests, up to three relevant publica- tenure-track faculty position to begin “Media Portfolio”. State Institutes for Energy and the tions, and a list of references. by fall 2016 in the area of coastal sys- Applications received by September Environment (PSIEE) at The Pennsylva- CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATIS- tems and processes. Specific areas of 1, 2015 will be given preference in nia State University invite applications TICS: For more about safety at Penn research we are most interested review with the position open until for a faculty position in hydrological State, and to review the Annual Secu- include: filled. Old Dominion University wel- sciences. The position will be filled at rity Report which contains information • Processes and histories of sedi- comes the opportunity to work with the Assistant Professor level, commen- about crime statistics and other safety mentary systems in the coastal zone, candidates to identify suitable employ- surate with experience, on a 36-week and security matters, please go to including the effects of sea level rise on ment opportunities for spouses. academic year appointment, with 75% http://www.police.psu.edu/clery/ , estuaries, lagoons, marshes, tidal wet- Old Dominion University is an equal research and 25% teaching responsibili- which will also provide you with detail lands or barrier islands; opportunity, affirmative action institu- ties. The position will be co-funded by on how to request a hard copy of the • The impacts of climate (past and tion. Minorities, women, veterans, and the College of Agricultural Sciences and Annual Security Report. future) on hydrologic processes in individuals with disabilities are PSIEE, with the tenure home residing in Penn State is an equal opportunity, coastal environments; encouraged to apply. the Department of Ecosystem Science affirmative action employer, and is • Coastal zone hydrogeology, includ- and Management. committed to providing employment ing the effects of sea level rise on Postdoctoral Research Associate in We are seeking an outstanding can- opportunities to all qualified applicants coastal aquifers, and the interactions of Oceanic Variability, Predictability didate with a demonstrated interest in without regard to race, color, religion, groundwater discharge with coastal and Change forested ecosystems, and having a age, sex, sexual orientation, gender aquatic systems. The Atmospheric and Oceanic Sci- background in hydrology and ecosys- identity, national origin, disability or The successful candidate will have ences Program at Princeton University, tem sciences. Research expertise is protected veteran status. expertise in quantitative investigations in association with NOAA’s Geophysi- desired in areas such as ecohydrology, of coastal dynamics and those with cal Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL), forest hydrology, integrated water Geoscience and Water Sustainability field oriented interests are particularly seeks a postdoctoral research associate resources management, isotope - Tenure-track Position encouraged to apply. We also welcome or a more senior for research related to hydrology, limnology, watershed mod- The Department of Geology and applications from candidates employ- intraseasonal-to-decadal oceanic vari- eling, or watershed processes. The suc- Environmental Science at the Univer- ing modeling, remote sensing and/or ability, predictability and change. A key cessful candidate will be expected to sity of Pittsburgh (http://www.geology. laboratory approaches. focus will be systematic comparison of develop strong, interdisciplinary pitt.edu) invites applications for a ten- It is anticipated that this position observations and dynamical models to research collaborations on campus, ure-track assistant professor position will be filled at the Assistant Professor understand the character of and causes and to develop a nationally recognized, in geoscience and water sustainability, level, but exceptional candidates at the behind past changes to the ocean, with externally funded, interdisciplinary pending budgetary approval. We seek Associate level will be considered. focus on the impact of the ocean on research program engaging graduate applicants to expand our current Candidates at the Associate Professor intraseasonal-to-decadal predictabil- students. research in sustainability and who link level must demonstrate substantial ity. This would likely include assess-

Earth & Space Science News Eos.org // 27 POSITIONS AVAILABLE

ment of and modifications to coupled research interests should be submitted tenure-track assistant professor The University of Nebraska is com- and ocean data-assimilation systems. by October 15, 2015 for full consider- level. The appointee is expected to mitted to a pluralistic campus commu- This will include assessments of pre- ation. Applicants should apply online develop and maintain a vigorous, col- nity through affirmative action, equal dictability arising both from natural to http://jobs.princeton.edu, Requisi- laborative, externally funded research opportunity, work-life balance, and variability and radiative forcing tion #1500567. For additional informa- program and to teach at the under- dual careers. changes. The research will also exam- tion, contact Gabriel Vecchi graduate and graduate level. Screen- For further information, contact Dr. ine interactions between natural ([email protected]). ing of applications will begin Sept. 10, Chris Fielding, Search Committee Chair decadal variability and the climate This position is subject to the Uni- 2015 and the search will continue by email, phone, or mail at: system response to radiative forcing versity’s background check policy. until the position is filled. To apply, [email protected], 1-402-472-9801; changes, including attribution of Princeton University is an equal oppor- please submit: a cover letter, includ- Department of Earth & Atmospheric observed ocean changes. The research tunity employer and all qualified appli- ing references, curriculum vita, and Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lin- will make extensive use of both obser- cants will receive consideration for statements of research and teaching coln, 214 Bessey Hall, Lincoln NE vations and a variety of modeling employment without regard to race, experience and interests at this web- 68588-0340. tools, including newly developed color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, site: https://uacareers.com/ high-resolution global climate mod- gender identity, national origin, dis- postings/3687 Assistant Professor Mineralogy/ els. The selected candidate will have ability status, protected veteran status, Petrology/Earth Materials West Vir- one or more of the following attri- or any other characteristic protected by Interdisciplinary/Other ginia University butes: (a) a strong background in law. The Department of Geology and physical oceanography, climate ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF EARTH Geography at West Virginia University dynamics, or a closely related field; Solid Earth Geophysics AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES seeks to hire a tenure track Assistant (b) experience using and analyzing (Exploration Geophysics) Professor specializing in Earth Materi- advanced climate models and ocean Faculty Position in Geophysics at the Applications are invited for a tenure als. This could include expertise in observational datasets, and (c) strong University of Arizona track position as Assistant Professor Igneous, Metamorphic, Sedimentary or diagnostic skills in analyzing large The Department of Geosciences at in the Department of Earth and Atmo- Organic Petrology, Mineralogy, Geomi- data sets. the University of Arizona seeks appli- spheric Sciences at the University of crobiology or related fields. The suc- Candidate must have a PhD. Initial cations for a tenure track faculty Nebraska-Lincoln. The successful cessful candidate will have the oppor- appointment is for one year with the position in geophysics in the broad candidate will be expected to partici- tunity to develop a vigorous possibility of renewal subject to satis- areas of geodynamics, seismology pate in teaching and curricular devel- externally-funded research program. factory performance and available and/or geodesy. Candidates must hold opment of undergraduate and gradu- The new hire will also teach core funding. a PhD degree by the time of appoint- ate courses, to advise and direct undergraduate classes covering the Complete applications, including a ment. Postdoctoral or other post- graduate students, and to develop a origins of rocks and minerals, as well CV, publication list, at least 3 letters of graduate research experience is rigorous research program that is sup- as graduate courses in the area of his/ recommendation, and a statement of desirable. We anticipate hiring at the ported by external funding. It is her expertise. expected that the research program Requirements include: a Ph.D. in will include field and subsur- Earth Science by the start date, evi- face-based studies of exploration geo- dence of potential to establish a strong physics. Ability to contribute to grow- externally-funded research program, ing petroleum geoscience-related ability to publish in peer-review jour- teaching and research activities within nals, and a commitment to teaching the Department of Earth & Atmo- excellence at the undergraduate and spheric Sciences will be considered as graduate levels. an advantage. The candidate should Qualified applicants should: (1) sub- demonstrate strong potential for mit a single PDF file including a state- research and teaching and must hold a ment of research interests, a statement Ph.D. in Geology, Geophysics, or a of teaching philosophy, and a curricu- related field at the time of appoint- lum vitae; (2) submit PDF files of up to ment. 3 publications; and (3) arrange for three The Department of Earth and letters of reference to be sent. All doc- Atmospheric Sciences offers B.S. uments should go to earthmaterials@ degrees in Geology and Meteorolo- mail.wvu.edu. gy-Climatology, as well as M.S. and Review of applications will begin Ph.D. degrees in Earth and Atmo- Sept. 30, 2015 and continue until the spheric Sciences. Primary research position is filled. The anticipated start areas within the geological sciences date is August of 2016. include sedimentary geology, paleon- For additional information, please tology and paleobiology, petroleum see http://pages.geo.wvu.edu/ geosciences and geobiology. Research earthmaterials or contact the search in atmospheric sciences is focused on chair: Jaime Toro at [email protected] or meterological hazards, climate (304) 293 9817. change, and remote sensing. Addi- West Virginia University is an EEO/ tional active research areas include Affirmative Action Employer and wel- Climate System Science, Geoscience comes applications from all qualified Education and Hydrological sciences. individuals, including minorities, Additional information about our females, individuals with disabilities, department can be found on our web and veterans. site: http://eas.unl.edu. To apply, go to http://employment. Associate Director, Environmental unl.edu, search for requisition Studies Program #F_150159 and complete the “faculty/ Assistant Professor of the Practice, administrative form”. Applicants must Department of Earth and Environmen- attach a cover letter, curriculum vitae, tal Sciences statements of research and teaching Boston College seeks a teacher, interests, and names of at least three scholar, and administrator to serve as references via the above website. We Associate Director of the Environmen- will begin to review applications on tal Studies Program and Assistant Pro- October 12, but the position will remain fessor of the Practice in the Depart- open until it is filled. ment of Earth and Environmental

28 // Eos 1 September 2015 POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Sciences and with a summer 2016 start competence in numerical simulation laborate with scientists nationally and Two Positions: Stratigraphy/Sedi- date. The Program offers both a major methods. Experience with field and internationally as well as with other mentology and Geomorphology/Cli- and minor to undergraduate students laboratory investigative techniques is USGS scientists nationwide. matology Denison University in the Morrissey College of Arts & Sci- also desirable. Good communication The on-line vacancy announce- Denison University invites appli- ences. The successful candidate will skills are essential. ments, which will be posted at the cations for two tenure track positions have demonstrated academic, leader- Sediment Radionuclide Geochemistry Office of Personnel Management’s in the Department of Geosciences, to ship, and program development abili- (Position 2) USAJOBS website (www.usajobs.gov) begin in August 2016. We seek ties. This position is a nine-month, The U.S. Geological Survey seeks contains additional information broadly trained scientists engaged in full-time non-tenure track academic candidates for a full-time permanent regarding qualification requirements. the study of (1) Sedimentology and/or position with faculty rank and teaching research position in sediment radio- The vacancies will be open for 30 days Stratigraphy, and (2) Geomorphology responsibilities. nuclide geochemistry at the GS-11, starting on or about September 1, and/or Climatology. We welcome For more information and to apply GS-12 or GS-13 grades. This early-ca- 2015. Applications (resumes and candidates that combine these spe- visit: http://apply.interfolio. reer interdisciplinary position in the questionnaire responses) must be cialties in innovative ways, and are com/30751. We will begin reviewing National Research Program (http:// received online BEFORE midnight willing to consider joint applications. applications on October 1, 2015 and water.usgs.gov/nrp/) may be filled Eastern Time on the closing date Successful candidates should demon- continue until the position is filled. under these job series: Research posted in the USAJOBS Vacancy strate potential to be outstanding Chemist or Research Geologist or Announcement. It is important that teachers, active scholars, and con- Faculty Position in Earth and Plane- Research Hydrologist. Grade and sal- candidates view the Vacancy tributors to the continued growth of tary Science At Rice University ary ($63,000 to approximately Announcement in their entirety to be the Department and College. Candi- Department of Earth Science $100,000) will be based on education sure that all required documents are dates must have a Ph.D. at the time of We seek creative and promising and experience. Prior to starting submitted. Incomplete application appointment. candidates across the broad spectrum employment with the USGS, a suc- packages cannot be considered. For We seek colleagues who are com- of earth and planetary science who cessful applicant will have demon- further information, please contact: mitted to teaching excellence in the complement the disciplines repre- strated educational and research Greg Desmond (703-648-4728, liberal arts tradition, are field-based, sented in our department. accomplishments, through the [email protected], Position 1 and have broad interests beyond their Successful candidates are expected obtainment of a Ph.D (or equivalent 2) or Pierre Glynn (703-648-5823, individual specialties, and will pro- to direct an active research program, education and experience) in a field [email protected], Position 1 and 2), vide a balance of classroom, field, and supervise graduate research, and teach related to radionuclide geochemistry. or Katherine Skalak (703-648-5435, laboratory experiences for our stu- courses for undergraduate and gradu- Experience will include analyses of [email protected], Position 2) in the dents. Candidates must have the ate students. Details about the depart- radioisotopes in environmental sam- Eastern Branch of the NRP. desire and ability to teach courses at ment and its facilities can be found at ples (naturally-occurring or nuclear US Citizenship is required for this all levels of the curriculum. The typi- http://earthscience.rice.edu fuel cycle generated radionuclides) as position. For any US Citizen (including cal teaching load is three lab courses Please send a CV, research and well as research in areas such as current or former Federal employees), per year. In addition, successful can- teaching statements, and names of heavy/trace metal geochemistry, the Vacancy Announcement number didates are expected to maintain four or more references to mineralogy, and soil or sediment sci- for Position 1 is: ATL-2015-1005. For vibrant and productive research pro- [email protected]. ence. The applicant will have demon- any US Citizen (including current or grams that actively incorporate Equal Opportunity Employer -- strated scientific vision, leadership, former Federal employees), the undergraduate students. Females/Minorities/Veterans/Disabled/ and productivity in exciting, societal- Vacancy Announcement number for Denison University is a highly Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity ly-relevant, and collaborative Position 2 is: ATL-2015-1182. The selective, private residential liberal inter-disciplinary research topics. USGS is an Equal Opportunity arts college enrolling approximately Two Full-Time Permanent Research The successful candidate will lead Employer. 2100 undergraduate students from Positions in the National Research development of laboratory capabilities Program, U.S. Geological Survey, and research applications in the area Reston, Virginia. of radionuclide geochemistry. The Flow and Transport in Fine-Grained scientist will collaborate with hydrol- Geologic Media (Position 1) ogists, geologists, chemists, ecologists The National Research Program and microbiologists in the USGS and (NRP) (http://water.usgs.gov/nrp/) of provide assistance and direction in the U.S. Geological Survey seeks can- methods development for the Center didates for a full-time permanent for Sediment Dynamics and Forensics research position in subsurface flow (CSDF), a developing center of excel- and transport at the GS-11, GS-12, or lence. The CSDF is expected to apply a GS-13 grade, in any of the following full range of observational and experi- series: Research Hydrologist, Research mental techniques in both the labora- Geologist, Research Petroleum Engi- tory and the field. Examples of tech- neer, and/or Research Physicist. Salary niques to be employed by the CSDF Range: ($63,722 to $118,069). This is a include: radiometric techniques (14C, position for an early-career scientist 137Cs, 7Be, 210Pb, 234U/238U, and to conduct research on fluids in fine- other radioisotopes), optically stimu- grained, low-permeability formations, lated luminescence, electron spin res- including shales, mudrocks and clays. onance, X-ray diffraction mineralogy, USGS seeks to better understand fluid stable isotopes of light and heavy ele- flow and transport in these environ- ments, major-element analysis, geo- ments when subjected to natural and chemical phase analyses, organic human-induced changes on engineer- molecular markers, rare earth and ing to geologic time scales. An import- trace element distributions, and carbon ant aspect of the position will be to and nutrient analyses. develop analysis capabilities in multi- To Apply: phase fluid transport and / or porome- The positions will be located in Res- chanical coupling. The successful can- ton, Virginia in the Eastern Branch of didate will focus on behavior at the National Research Program (NRP). formation and larger scales, and will The NRP is a program in the USGS integrate theoretical and numerical Water Mission Area and offers a stimu- analysis with field and laboratory lating and collegial environment for data. research in water-related earth science A completed or pending Ph.D. in a to meet current and anticipated relevant subject area is desired, as is national needs. NRP researchers col-

Earth & Space Science News Eos.org // 29 POSITIONS AVAILABLE

across the country and around the sons regardless of religion, race, eth- have a strong commitment to liberal questions at the forefront of Earth world. The college is located in the nicity, gender, sexual orientation, dis- arts undergraduate education and science, broadly defined. Additional village of Granville, Ohio, 25 miles east ability, or socioeconomic background. will work as part of a small and details about the fellowship and the of Columbus. For more information For additional information and active departmental team. Previous department can be found at http:// about Denison, visit our website at resources about diversity at Denison internships and/or work in the earthscience.rice.edu www.denison.edu. please see our Diversity Guide at energy industry is an asset, as is Please send a cover letter, 3-pg All application materials will be http://denison.edu/forms/ prior teaching experience. The research proposal, CV, and names of handled electronically at https:// diversity-guide. Denison University is appointee will advise and work four references to esci-postdoc@ employment.denison.edu. (Please an Affirmative Action, Equal Oppor- closely with undergraduate students rice.edu. The application deadline is clearly indicate the desired position.) tunity Employer. in course work and advising, includ- November 1, 2015. Applications must include: 1) a letter ing senior research projects, and will Equal Opportunity Employer--­ of application addressing the posi- Visiting Assistant Professor of provide evidence of excellence in Females/Minorities/Veterans/Dis- tion requirements listed above; 2) a Geology - Energy. teaching and ongoing scholarship. abled/Sexual Orientation/Gender current curriculum vita; 3) academic The Geology Department at Other teaching will include introduc- Identity transcripts of undergraduate and Allegheny College invites applicants tory environmental geology, col- graduate course work (unofficial for a four-year appointment (subject lege-wide first-year/sophomore Student Opportunities acceptable); 4) a statement of teach- to a satisfactory performance review seminars, and/or other advanced ing philosophy and experience; and, in the second year), with a start date geology courses based on the exper- Two Postdoctoral Research posi- 5) a statement of your research pro- of January 2016. A Ph.D. is preferred tise of the candidate and needs of the tions are currently available in the gram in a liberal arts context. In at the time of appointment but department. The teaching load will Department of Earth and Environ- addition, please include the contact strong ABD candidates will be con- typically involve two lab courses per mental Science at the University of information for three persons who sidered. There is the potential for semester. Pennsylvania. know your teaching and scholarship conversion of the position to a ten- Allegheny College is a highly We seek an individual with a well, who will then be requested to ure-track contract after the four- selective private liberal arts college strong background in mineralogical upload reference letters. Completed year appointment. We seek a geosci- in NW Pennsylvania with a dedicated and microchemical characterization application materials submitted by entist with teaching and/or research faculty of teacher-scholars. The to study a variety of Earth materials, October 15, 2015 will receive full con- interests in an energy-related field Department of Geology has a tradi- including rock fulgurites (melt, sideration, and evaluation will con- to develop and teach a new introduc- tion of excellent undergraduate edu- crystals, and associated deformation tinue until the position is filled. For tory energy course and to help us cation and active involvement in features caused by lightning strikes those attending, we plan to meet shape a new interdisciplinary minor student-faculty research. Facilities on rocks), airborne dust, and mate- with selected candidates at the 2015 in energy and society. Our vision for include a computer lab with GIS soft- rials associated with frictional slid- GSA Annual Meeting in Baltimore, the position is to have someone ware, a trailer mounted drill rig, ing of experimental and natural MD. move beyond traditional petroleum x-ray diffraction, ion and gas chro- faults. Experience with light micros- To achieve our mission as a liberal geology and help develop a curricu- matography, Flame/Furnace AAS, copy and various electron beam arts college, we continually strive to lum related to fossil fuels as a step- JEOL SEM-EDS-CL, and well- instruments, specifically SEM, ESEM foster a diverse campus community, ping stone to future sustainable equipped instructional labs. Appli- and analytical TEM, is essential. Pre- which recognizes the value of all per- energy. Successful candidates will cants should send a letter of applica- vious experience characterizing tion, teaching statement, research materials associated with environ- statement, cv, transcripts, and have mental health issues (e.g., airborne three letters of reference sent. All particulates) is preferred but not documents should be addressed to required. Energy Search, Department of Geol- We seek another individual with ogy at Allegheny College and sent experience in studying impact-in- electronically to 2015GeoEnergySearch@ duced melting and deformation in allegheny.edu. Review of applica- rocks to investigate rock fulgurites tions will begin October 19, 2015. resulting from lightning strikes. The More information on Allegheny Col- successful candidate will apply mod- lege and the Department of Geology eling, theoretical and/or experimen- may be obtained at http://sites. tal approaches to understanding the allegheny.edu/geo/. Applicant must formation of fulgurites and associ- be authorized to work in the United ated shock microstructures, and will States to be considered. Allegheny work closely with the post doc College is an Equal Opportunity described above to inform models Employer with a strong commit- and theory with microstructural ment to diversity, inclusion, and observations. A key goal will be to equity. Women, veterans, individu- understand similarities and differ- als with disabilities, and members ences between shock-induced planar of other underrepresented groups deformation features in fulgurites are highly encouraged to apply. with similar features in rocks Allegheny does not discriminate on deformed by meteoric impacts or the basis of race, color, religion, experimental shock loads. gender, gender identity, gender Both positions are available for expression, sexual orientation, age, one year and may be renewable based or national origin. on performance and the further availability of research funds. Wiess Post-Doctoral Research Please send a letter of interest, Fellowship - Department of Earth CV, and the names and contact Science, Rice University information of 3 references to Prof. The Department of Earth Science Reto Gieré ([email protected]). at Rice University is launching a Interested candidates are encouraged Wiess Post-Doctoral Research Fel- to arrange for an interview at the lowship competition in the broad upcoming Goldschmidt Conference. fields of Earth, atmospheric, and Evaluation of applications will begin planetary sciences. The principal immediately and continue until the selection criteria for the fellow are position is filled. Penn is an affirma- scientific excellence and a clearly tive action, equal opportunity expressed research plan to address employer.

30 // Eos 1 September 2015 POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Earth & Space Science News Eos.org // 31 Postcards from the Field

Greetings from the High Cascades!

My collaborator (and molecular microbi- ologist extraordinaire) Dr. Trinity Hamil- ton snapped this picture of me harvesting snow algae from the surface of Collier Glacier on the flank of the North Sister in Central Oregon. In the background (looking north, from left to right) you can see Belknap Crater, Mt. Washington, and Three Fingered Jack. In the distance we could also see other Cascade stratovolcanoes (Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Hood, and the very top of Mt. Adams on the hazy horizon), giving us a breath- taking scene as we sampled. Not a bad way to start the morning col- lecting geochemical and microbiological samples! Wish you were here (especially to help filter water and carry out rocks)!

—Jeff R. Havig, Ph.D. University of Cincinnati

View the full image and other postcards at http://americangeophysicalunion .tumblr .com/tagged/postcards- from- the-fi eld.

32 // Eos 1 September 2015 Students Can Now Share 3 Opportunities Their Research—From Anywhere! to Participate This is a new opportunity that allows undergraduate and in Fall 2015 graduate students to present their research virtually, without Virtual Poster any need to travel. Showcase #1 For Undergraduate Students Advantages of Virtual Presentations Virtual Poster Over In-person Meetings Showcase #2 For Undergraduate Students Virtual Poster Showcase #3 For Graduate Less Time Lower Cost More Flexible Scheduling Students

Students Faculty • Share your research • Help students develop their presentation • Practice your presentation skills skills and ability to evaluate science • Review the posters of your peers • Impact more students with the funds • Receive quality feedback from you have peers and experts in your field • Incorporate Virtual Poster Showcases • Build your credibility in a capstone course

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Abstract Submission Deadline: 23 September 2015

The theme for the 2016 Ocean Sciences Meeting is Ocean Sciences at the Interface. Complex interactions often occur at interfaces. Interactions at these interfaces occur on a wide range of spatial and temporal scales, and these interactions are critical for understanding the world around us and implementing informed policies in a global society. The meeting will highlight processes at interfaces and how the work at such interfaces pervades the study of ocean sciences and shapes the impact of our research on society. osm.agu.org