Understanding How Worlds Work INTRODUCTION

The UT Institute for Geophysics (UTIG) is a world leader in expeditionary-scale geophysical research on land, at sea, and in the air. Its wide-ranging expertise includes energy, polar, marine, climate, and planetary geosciences. Whether responding to natural disasters, imaging the deep earth, or searching space for signs of life, UTIG is at the forefront of cutting edge research at home and abroad.

UTIG scientists are dedicated to understanding how worlds work. Home to 50 doc- torate-level scientists — research entrepreneurs — UTIG scientists provide a broad range of geoscience expertise. For example, our staff advises and conducts interna- tional scientific ocean drilling projects, performs Rapid Response surveys following natural disasters, investigates conventional and unconventional natural resources in the Gulf of Mexico, leads airborne radar studies of ice sheets on Earth and on oth- er planets, researches earthquake and tsunami risks, and models past and future climate. UTIG scientists supplement their fieldwork with computer analysis, mod- eling, and laboratory work. ¶ UTIG seeks state, national, and international oppor- tunities to leverage its proven geophysical proficiency addressing leading issues in resource development and environmental management. When society faces criti- UTIG SCIENTISTS DISCOVERED THAT WHEN HURRICANE HARVEY MADE LANDFALL NEAR ROCKPORT, TEXAS AS A CATEGORY 4 cal environmental problems that cause controversy among citizens and confusion STORM ON THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 25, 2017, IT SIGNIFICANTLY among government policymakers, UTIG scientists engage the parties, plan an RESHAPED THE SEAFLOOR AND BARRIER ISLANDS AND CARRIED A LARGE VOLUME OF SEDIMENT INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO. appropriate and effective response, and collect data that leads to responsible solu- WITH TEXAS FACING INCREASINGLY POWERFUL STORMS EACH YEAR, UTIG RAPID RESPONSE RESEARCH MISSIONS ARE CRITICAL tions. For such issues, UTIG scientists don’t take sides; they find answers. IN EFFORTS TO PROTECT COASTAL COMMUNITIES. CREDIT: NASA EARTH OBSERVATORY/JESSE ALLEN

1 2 Texas economy. Academic, government, andTexas government, economy. Academic, UTIG receives only $2 million year per the from Lean and Agile and Lean industry partners help us to all help leverage funding us partners industry while uncovering new knowledge that knowledge while new helps uncovering us based research programs for and training the understand and improve our world. This combi next generation ofnext geoscientists. nation of support is critical to critical is maintain ofnation support the staff state UT, and it but million pumps $48 into the UTIG MILESTONES infrastructureand required for field- complex,

1972 at UT program seismology Established lunar

1974 program seismic multichannel marine academic first Conducted

1984 ongoing academic-industry partnership an Program, PLATES Established

1987 program seismic multichannel marine 3D academic First

1993 UT at program research polar aerogeophysical Established

1995 Mexico of Gulf the in partnership academic-industry ongoing an Program, Synthesis Depositional Basin Gulf Established

2000 UT at program research climate comprehensive first Established

2007 hazards tsunami earthquakes, hurricane, and investigate to program Response Rapid initiated and Developed -

2008 Galveston to damage underwater Ike’s Hurricane of extent reveals survey Geophysical schools public Texas in science space and earth teaching for academies development teacher Established geophysics and geology marine in course field pioneering Established

2010 area the in research UTIG’s of history onalong building earthquake, Haiti investigated team Response Rapid Cap Ice Polar Mars and response Earthquake Haiti year: the of 100 top among stories science UTIG two cites Magazine Discover

2011 earthquake and tsunami Japanese great the caused that fault the at observatory asubsurface install Helped Europa moon, on Jupiter’s Lake” fora“Great Evidence Found Sumatra in earthquake tsunami-generating major 2004 of cause the Demonstrated

2012 moons icy Jupiter’s to probe space design Helped wetlands vanishing up Louisiana’s forshoring insights provides Study PAPERS WITH STUDENT CO-AUTHORS (2017–2018)...... CO-AUTHORS STUDENT WITH PAPERS PAPERS (2017–2018) SCIENTIFIC PEER-REVIEWED GRADUATE STUDENTS ON STAFFSCIENTISTS FOUNDED ...... TEXAS ON IMPACT ECONOMIC INDIRECT ECONOMIC ACTIVITY . YEAR PER EXPENDITURES DIRECT ...... YEAR PER UNIVERSITY STATE AND ......

2013 region Mediterranean eastern in civilizations ancient and tsunamis, between earthquakes, links investigates Research ...... 2015 glaciers through flowing water track to method Pioneer 12,000 years ago latitudes northern in change climate abrupt reveals Study ......

2016 crater impact Chicxulub the into Drilled 1920s the since Texas in earthquakes causing humans finds Study ...... UTIG by Numbers the

2017 predictions weather Niña La aid Studies ofMexico Gulf the in resources sand find to mission Led Harvey Hurricane after seafloor investigates team Response Rapid Mexico of Gulf in hydrate formethane drill to mission Led $48 million $48 $22 million $22 $26 million $26 $2 million $2

2018 present and past in patterns circulation Ocean Atlantic and rainfall Hemisphere Western between link finds Study 1976 200 44

45 50 3 UTIG RESEARCH AREAS From the ends of the earth to the bottom of the sea to other planets, UTIG is there, the earth of is there, the planets, ends UTIG toFrom the other sea to of the bottom making and that live work. change discoveries we cutting-edge the way scientific

4 5 A Better Future for Texas and the Gulf of Mexico UNDERSTANDING CLIMATE IN THE GULF OF MEXICO

UTIG scientists study a number of issues important to Texas including earthquakes, UTIG scientists will reconstruct the history of the Loop Current through the Florida GULF OF MEXICO and Yucatan Straits; the Loop Current is an important control on Gulf of Mexico climate, natural resources, and energy. Their research in and near Texas and the Gulf climate and oceanography, both of which influence hurricane development and of Mexico in partnership with major stakeholders ensures a better Texas into the future. impact human endeavors such as oil drilling and fishing operations.

TEXAS PANHANDLE EARTHQUAKES TEXAS AND THE GULF OF MEXICO TEXAS AND THE GULF OF MEXICO

UTIG scientists are evaluating the history and causes of a recent increase in Texas earth- PECOS & AMARILLO, TX L C quakes, including more than three thousand earthquakes detected in the “Pecos hotspot”

4.0 F I T and a magnitude earthquake which struck Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle, possibly LO R I D A S T R A Y U CATA N C H A N N E L induced by the region’s oil and gas production. UTIG scientists are working with the Bureau THE LOOP CURRENT STUDY WILL INVESTIGATE of Economic Geology’s TexNet program, which deployed seismic stations across the Texas HOW WATER FLOW INTO AND OUT OF THE Panhandle, to assess whether these earthquakes are influenced by human activity. GULF OF MEXICO HAS CHANGED THROUGH TIME AND HOW IT RELATES TO REGIONAL CLIMATE. CREDIT: CHRIS LOWERY

PUSHING THE LIMITS OF SEISMIC RESOLUTION

UTIG scientists and students are developing innovative mathematical and numerical models capable of resolving small scale features from seismic data including subsur- face fractures. These are extremely useful for accurate description of hydrocarbon reservoirs, aquifers and mineral bearing zones, all of which have a direct impact on the economics of resource exploitation in Texas.

POROSITY ESTIMATION FROM 3D SEISMIC AND WELL LOG DATA AIDS IN LOCATING AND PREDICTING THE NATURE OF UNDERGROUND RESOURCES. THE WHITE WELL LOCATIONS AND PETROLEUM DRILLING STRUCTURES MARK THE YATES OIL FIELD EXAMPLE SHOWN HERE IN THE LAYERED SEDIMENTARY ROCKS OF THE PERMIAN BASIN. ACTIVITIES RELATED TO IS FROM THE MARCO POLO OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION IN THIS AREA OF WEST TEXAS MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THREE FIELD, GULF OF MEXICO. THOUSAND EARTHQUAKES DETECTED NEAR PECOS THROUGHOUT 2018. CREDIT: EARTH CREDIT: G. RUSSEL SCIENCE AND REMOTE SENSING UNIT, NASA JOHNSON SPACE CENTER YOUNG AND MRINAL SEN

6 7 MAKING AN IMPACT AT CHICXULUB CRATER Building Bridges: Academia, Industry, and Government

An international research mission, co-led by UTIG researchers, has discovered CHICXULUB CRATER, MEXICO UTIG scientists have a long history of partnerships with industry and government how the Chicxulub Crater impact caused billions of tons of rock to move like through geophysical investigations around the globe. Research conducted by UTIG liquid. The study, which is part of the International Ocean Discovery Program,

offers insights into how impacts resurface planets, how vaporized ocean scientists aids industry scientists in identification and development of energy resources PARTNERSHIPS sediments were a key cause of global mass extinction 66 million years ago, in the deep water Gulf and other resource-rich deep basins around the globe. and how life recovered following impact.

TEXAS AND THE GULF OF MEXICO MEETING FUTURE ENERGY NEEDS

UTIG leads two landmark projects geared toward meeting future national energy GULF OF MEXICO needs. The GOM^2 project links scientists and engineers on a frontier problem with economic impact for Texas: the study of methane hydrates, the cleanest of hydrocarbon fuels and a potential source for natural gas. The project is the first in the United States to acquire and directly study methane hydrates in reservoirs from the deep water oceans.

UT GeoFluids is a research consortium managed by UTIG and supported by eleven energy companies. The group designs and develops safe and effective drilling programs to access energy reserves. The project’s next ten year phase, which begins in 2020, will focus on technologies to improve seismic imaging and well design.

THE CHICXULUB IMPACT CRATER LIES BENEATH THE YUCATAN PENINSULA. UTIG USES NOVEL TECHNOLOGY TO EXTRACT PRESSURIZED ROCK CORES FROM A MILE UTIG RESEARCH UNCOVERED HOW LARGE BENEATH THE OCEAN. INSIGHTS GAINED BY STUDYING THEIR ENERGY CONCENTRATION, IMPACTS AFFECT A PLANET’S SURFACE. MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND FLUID FLOW MAY SOON ALLOW FOR PRODUCTION IN AN CREDIT: NASA/ DON DAVIS ECONOMICALLY VIABLE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE MANNER. CREDIT: ANTON CAPUTO

8 9 10 PARTNERSHIPS GULF OF MEXICO OF GULF an increasingly significant role in protecting our coastal communities from erosion, erosion, from communities coastal our protecting in role significant increasingly an sea level rise and the impact of major storms. of major impact the and rise level sea BUILDING A NATIONAL OFFSHORE SAND INVENTORY SAND OFFSHORE BUILDING A NATIONAL inventory of offshore sand resources in the Gulf of Mexico. Understanding the Understanding of Mexico. Gulf the in resources sand of offshore inventory UTIG location, character and quantity of sand resources around our coastline is playing playing is coastline our around resources of sand quantity and character location, is working with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to develop an develop to Management Energy of Ocean Bureau the with working is A CLASS RESEARCH PROJECT THAT STUDIED SAND STUDIED THAT PROJECT RESEARCH A CLASS OF THE INVENTORY PROJECT. CREDIT: JOHN GOFF STUDENTS REEL IN A SEISMIC STREAMER DURING DURING STREAMER ASEISMIC IN REEL STUDENTS RESOURCES IN THE GULF OF MEXICO IN SUPPORT SUPPORT IN MEXICO OF GULF THE IN RESOURCES

The Gulf Basin Depositional Synthesis Project is an ongoing industry-supported industry-supported ongoing is an Project Synthesis Depositional Gulf Basin The are especially useful to groups engaged in hydrocarbon or mineral exploration on on exploration mineral or hydrocarbon in engaged groups to useful especially are decades, the the decades, three than more For of Mexico. Gulf of the history geologic the understanding on of Gulf-wide sedimentary history. of Gulf-wide sedimentary picture acomprehensive provide that sections cross and maps detailed and ography Gulf of Mexico. Deliverables include a include Deliverables of Mexico. Gulf program that seeks to understand the depositional history and framework of the of the framework and history depositional the understand to seeks that program EXPLORING THE GULF OF MEXICO THROUGH TIME THROUGH MEXICO OF GULF THE EXPLORING UTIG both regional and global scales. global and regional both lution models of tectonic plate movement. These models and associated databases databases associated and models These movement. plate of tectonic models lution TO BRING UTIG’S RESEARCH STRENGTH TO EXPLORATION IN THE SOUTHERN GULF OF MEXICO. THE PROJECT PROJECT THE MEXICO. OF GULF SOUTHERN THE IN TOEXPLORATION STRENGTH RESEARCH UTIG’S TO BRING AND THE COCKRELL SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, UTIG IS PARTNERING WITH THE MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF PETROLEUM AIMS TO BOOST HYDROCARBON PRODUCTION AND FIND NEW RESERVES. CREDIT: MIKE MAREEN/ADOBE STOCK IN COLLABORATION WITH THE BUREAU OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES, maintains several long-standing academia-industry partnerships focused partnerships academia-industry long-standing several maintains PLATES Project has been dedicated to creating accurate, high-reso accurate, creating to dedicated been has Project GIS database, an extensive supporting bibli supporting extensive an database, - -

11 PARTNERSHIPS 12 EDUCATION Engaging the Next Generation Next the ofEngaging Geoscientists UTIG’s programs with Texas K–12 students and teachers ensure that pioneering geo K–12 Texas that ensure with UTIG’s teachers and students programs ate students with instruction in processing, the interpretation collection, and presentation of ronmental, and geotechnical industries as well as coastal restoration and management fields. management and restoration coastal as well as industries geotechnical and ronmental, marine geological and geophysical data. Alumni note the course’s applicability to energy, envi energy, to applicability course’s the note Alumni data. geophysical and geological marine MARINE GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS FIELD COURSE FIELD GEOPHYSICS AND GEOLOGY MARINE physics work will continue forphysics work generations. UTIG’s students, will undergraduate work with UTIG graduate students and postdoctoral fellows helps fellows tomorrow’s prepare workforce. postdoctoral and students graduate offers a three-week, hands-on field course for graduate and upper-level undergradu upper-level and graduate for course field hands-on athree-week, offers GALVESTON. CREDIT: RODRIGO FERNANDEZ OFFSHORE SEDIMENT SAMPLING NEAR STUDENTS READY A PISTON CORER FOR CORER APISTON READY STUDENTS - - - ential outreach program that prepares Texas high school students to become part of part become to students Texas school high prepares that program outreach ential GEOFORCE than than more engages that program recognized nationally This workforce. geosciences the UTIG AT SITES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. CREDIT: GEOFORCE CREDIT: COUNTRY. THE THROUGHOUT AT SITES RESEARCHERS SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF EARTH SYSTEMS WITH YOUNG STUDENTS STUDENTS YOUNG WITH SYSTEMS EARTH OF KNOWLEDGE THEIR SHARE RESEARCHERS UTIG SCIENTISTS REGULARLY PARTICIPATE IN GEOFORCE SUMMER FIELD EXCURSIONS. EXCURSIONS. FIELD SUMMER GEOFORCE IN PARTICIPATE REGULARLY SCIENTISTS UTIG 640 houses the Jackson of Geo School Geosciences high school students each summer, summer, each students school high Texas, with nearly nearly Texas, with tournaments. The tournaments are among the largest and best best and largest the among are tournaments The tournaments. mathematics) disciplines. mathematics) ments for the the for ments UT AUSTIN SCIENCE OLYMPIAD SCIENCE AUSTIN UT Each year year Each based challenges in all all in challenges based known science competitions for middle and high school students in students school high and middle for competitions science known TOURNAMENT HELD AT UT, AUSTIN. CREDIT: SAMIKSHA RAY SAMIKSHA CREDIT: AT AUSTIN. UT, HELD TOURNAMENT CHEMISTRY COMPETITION DURING A SCIENCE OLYMPIAD INVITATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKE PART IN A CRIME BUSTERS FORENSIC FORENSIC BUSTERS ACRIME IN PART TAKE STUDENTS SCHOOL MIDDLE 85 percent of whom are minorities. are of whom percent UTIG UT FORCE students and scientists organize and create assess create and organize scientists and students Austin Science Olympiad Invitational and Regional Regional and Invitational Olympiad Science Austin 2,000 program, an experi students competing in rigorous, standards- rigorous, in competing students STEM (science, technology, (science, engineering, - - 13 EDUCATION 14 EXPERTISE WORLDWIDE What Makes Earth Shake? Earth Makes What UTIG scientists bring their expertise around the world to better understand how earth worldunderstand the better to around expertise their bring UTIG scientists and climate history through the retrieval of ocean floor rocks and sediments. and rocks floor of ocean retrieval the through history climate and ine processes associated with earthquake generation. earthquake with associated processes ine collaboration that uses ocean-going platforms, including the the including platforms, ocean-going uses that collaboration scientists hold leadership roles in the International Ocean Discovery Program, an international international an Program, Discovery Ocean International the in roles leadership hold scientists campaigns each year during which a variety of geophysical techniques are used to exam to used are of techniques geophysical a variety which during year each campaigns research vessels, including the scientific drilling ship, ship, drilling scientific the including vessels, research EXPERTISE WORLDWIDE quakes work and identify potential hazards. They undertake several major seagoing several undertake They hazards. potential work identify and quakes UTIG THE JOIDES RESOLUTION WHICH IS CREDIT: BILL CRAWFORD, IODP CRAWFORD, BILL CREDIT: BY THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION. FOUNDATION. SCIENCE NATIONAL THE BY FUNDED IS AND PROGRAM DISCOVERY OCEAN INTERNATIONAL THE OF PART UTIG SCIENTISTS OFTEN WORK ABOARD scientists routinely lead interdisciplinary groundbreaking research missions from missions research groundbreaking interdisciplinary lead routinely scientists

JOIDES Resolution JR , in the study of past Earth Earth of past study the , in (JR) . Several . Several UTIG

- - citizens around the world. study The region. of the structure deep and movement geometry, the evaluate CHARACTERIZING DANGEROUS PLATE MARGINS will help characterize convergent plate boundaries and the risks they pose to pose they risks the and boundaries plate convergent characterize help will world. world. that generates destructive volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis. The team will team The tsunamis. and earthquakes volcanoes, destructive generates that to this highly collaborative research community that hopes to improve forecasting forecasting improve to hopes that community research collaborative highly this to boundary plate tectonic Zealand New of the study platform understand the processes driving earthquakes at zones subduction around the earthquakes driving the processes understand models of when and where such earthquakes might strike. might earthquakes such where and of when models UNDERSTANDING THE TOHOKU-OKI EARTHQUAKE, JAPAN EARTHQUAKE, TOHOKU-OKI UNDERSTANDING THE UTIG UTIG scientists are working in an international collaboration on a multi-year, multi- is leading an international research collaboration network whose aim is to is aim whose network collaboration research international an leading is UTIG studies of the earthquake that struck Japan in in Japan struck that earthquake of the studies 011 2 — a major boundary boundary a major are contributing 15,000 PEOPLE. UTIG 15,000 TSUNAMI OFF THE 2011 MARCH, THE AWAIT DEPLOYMENT CREDIT: ROB KAYEN, ROB CREDIT: JAPAN OF COAST ON THE DECK OF A OF DECK THE ON OCEAN BOTTOM SEISMOMETERS STRUCTURE. CREDIT: IS LEADING EFFORTS TO EFFORTS LEADING IS INSTRUMENTS AID IN UNDERSTANDING KILLED MORE THAN KILLED MORE EARTHQUAKE AND MARINE SCIENCE CENTER. SCIENCE MARINE AND COASTAL PACIFIC POWERFUL QUAKES. PROVIDE INSIGHTS ABOUT NEW ZEALAND. THEZEALAND. NEW NEAR NORTHEAST VESSELRESEARCH HARM VAN AVENDONK CRUSTALEARTH’S UTIG SCIENTISTS NEW ZEALAND JAPAN

15 EXPERTISE WORLDWIDE 16 CLIMATE Understanding Climate: Past, Present, Future Past, Understanding Climate: UTIG scientists investigate Earth’s climate change on timescales from seasons to mil to seasons from on timescales change climate Earth’s investigate UTIG scientists our ability to anticipate extreme climatic events that have not yet been observed, but could could but observed, yet been not have that events climatic extreme anticipate to ability our lennia. With a focus on key regions such as monsoon belts and the polar oceans, and and oceans, polar the monsoon and belts such on as afocus key With regions lennia. records of past climate changes stored in geological archives. Their research is transforming transforming is research Their archives. geological in stored changes climate of past records BENCHMARKING CLIMATE CHANGE PREDICTIONS CHANGE CLIMATE BENCHMARKING phenomenon such as El Niño, researchers can attribute change to natural or man-made or man-made natural to change attribute phenomenon can Niño, El researchers such as factors as well as predict their future evolution. future their predict as well as factors become the norm in the future. the in norm the become UTIG Niña byLa caused America els, els, Climate scientists at at scientists Climate the winters of winters the predict the duration of the La Niña event during during event Niña La of the duration the predict the tropical Pacific. By studying La Niña’s historical Niña’shistorical La studying By Pacific. tropical the records and combining them with computer mod PREDICTING EL NIÑO AND LA NIÑA LA AND NIÑO EL PREDICTING in ocean signals that helped them successfully successfully them helped that signals ocean in improved our ability to predict drought over North North over drought predict to ability our improved PACIFIC TO UNCOVER NEW FEATURES OF OUR CHANGING CLIMATE. CREDIT: JUD PARTIN. JUD CREDIT: CLIMATE. CHANGING OUR OF FEATURES NEW TOUNCOVER PACIFIC UTIG SCIENTISTS STUDY FOSSIL CORALS SUCH AS THESE IN VANUATU IN THE SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST THE IN VANUATU IN THESE AS SUCH CORALS FOSSIL STUDY SCIENTISTS UTIG UTIG climate scientists refine their theories of future climate change by contrasting them with with them contrasting by change climate future of theories their refine scientists climate scientist discovered subtle differences differences subtle discovered scientist 2017 and and UTIG 2018 — have significantly . a cooling pattern in pattern a cooling - THE STRENGTH AND DURATION OF SUCH OF DURATION AND STRENGTH THE CLIMATE EVENTS. CREDIT: BOB NICHOLS, USDA NICHOLS, BOB CREDIT: EVENTS. CLIMATE PREDICT HELPING IS RESEARCH UTIG TEXAS. OF SOUTHERN UNITED STATES, INCLUDING PARTS LA NIÑA MAY CAUSE DROUGHTS IN THE IN DROUGHTS MAY CAUSE NIÑA LA

- climate melts glaciers that stabilize mountain slopes. mountain stabilize that glaciers melts climate east Alaska, was three times taller than the earthquake-triggered tsunamis that tsunamis earthquake-triggered the than taller times three was Alaska, east tsunamis around the world, particularly in higher latitude regions where a warming awarming where regions latitude higher in particularly world, the around tsunamis times taller than the the than taller times plant in Japan. The study’s findings will help predict the risk of landslide-triggered landslide-triggered of risk the predict help will findings study’s The Japan. in plant razed parts of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand in in Thailand and India, Lanka, Sri of Indonesia, parts razed LANDSLIDE-TRIGGERED TSUNAMIS UTIG scientists found that a that found scientists UTIG ALASKA AND CANADA. UTIG SCIENTISTS STUDYING THE TAAN TAAN THE STUDYING SCIENTISTS UTIG CANADA. AND ALASKA LIKE PLACES IN HAZARD INCREASING FREQUENT, MORE AND EVENTS. CREDIT: BRETWOOD HIGMAN FUTURE OF RISK THE PREDICT HELPING ARE TSUNAMI FJORD LANDSLIDE-TRIGGERED TSUNAMIS ARE BECOMING LARGER 011 2 Japanese tsunami that damaged the Fukushima the that nuclear damaged tsunami Japanese 2015 landslide-triggered tsunami in Taan Fjord, south Taan in Fjord, tsunami landslide-triggered 2004 and nearly four and nearly - TAAN FJORD, ALASKA FJORD, TAAN 17 CLIMATE 18 CLIMATE and changes to large-scale ocean circulation as the climate warms. climate the as circulation ocean large-scale to changes and and satellite-based measurements, observations, and associated fjords, oceanographic glaciers in Greenland respond to maps of climate. Detailed submarine glacier faces who are how working to and marine-terminating oceanographers understand glaciologists INTERACTIONS IN WEST GREENLAND WEST IN INTERACTIONS models help build a comprehensive understanding of the potential impact on sea level level sea on impact potential of the understanding a comprehensive build help models UNDERSTANDING ICE-OCEAN UTIG A STUDY TO UNDERSTAND THE TOUNDERSTAND A STUDY A PRESSURE SENSOR DURING A UTIG SCIENTIST INSTALLS CREDIT: JASON GULLEY OF GREENLAND.GLACIERS WEST OF TIMESCALES, PARTICULARLY IN THE MARINE-TERMINATING AVARIETY ON SLIDING CAUSES IT BOTTOM OF THE GLACIER WHERE GLACIER THE OF BOTTOM WATER TOTHE PATH SURFACE OF is part of an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional team of geophysicists, geologists, geologists, of geophysicists, team multi-institutional of interdisciplinary, an is part

WEST GREENLAND ANTARCTICA: TRACKING A NEW GLOBAL THREAT GLOBAL A NEW TRACKING ANTARCTICA: (about (about and future Antarctic ice sheet and its potential impact on global sea level. sea global on impact potential its and sheet ice Antarctic future and evaluating both the topography and interior of the ice covering these lowlands. This This lowlands. these covering ice of the interior and topography the both evaluating tists are using airborne ice-penetrating radar arrays and ice core drilling to aid in aid to drilling core ice and arrays radar ice-penetrating airborne using are tists novel approach will help computer modelers improve their simulations of the past East Antarctica which hold enough ice to raise global sea levels at least least at levels sea global raise to ice enough hold which Antarctica East UTIG A DETAILED MAP OF EAST ANTARCTICA ANTARCTICA EAST OF MAP A DETAILED CREDIT: LUCAS BEEM ICE SHEETS AND WHAT LIES BENEATH THEM. THEM. BENEATH LIES WHAT AND SHEETS ICE ICE-PENETRATING RADAR ARRAY TOCREATE ARRAY RADAR ICE-PENETRATING UTIG SCIENTISTS ARE USING AN AIRBORNE AIRBORNE AN USING ARE SCIENTISTS UTIG is part of an international collaboration to study ice-buried lowland basins in basins lowland ice-buried study to collaboration international of an part is 10 – 13 feet). To better understand how these ice sheets are evolving, scien evolving, are sheets ice these how understand To better feet).

3.5 meters - JANG BOGO STATION, ANTARCTICA 19 CLIMATE 20 PLANETARY Exploring Other Worlds Other Exploring UTIG scientists are building the scientific and technical foundations to lead the next next the lead foundations to technical and scientific the building are UTIG scientists Mars, icy satellites, and giant planets. giant and satellites, icy Mars, zones that have supported past Martian life. Martian past supported have that zones on like those wet oases Warm, supplies. water near-surface to access need will explorers researchers study planetary systems via the tools of terrestrial analog field programs, programs, field analog of terrestrial tools the via systems planetary study researchers BULLSEYE ON WATER ICE WATER ON BULLSEYE Mars are not just a potential resource for future explorers, but may be the kinds of habitable of habitable kinds the be may but explorers, future for resource apotential just not are Mars UTIG geophysical modeling, and mission science. UTIG specializes in research related to related research in science. mission UTIG specializes and modeling, geophysical UTIG discoveries. and instruments, missions, generation of planetary geophysical 2.5 KM (1.6 MI) WIDE. CREDIT: JOSEPH LEVY/NASA/UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA OF LEVY/NASA/UNIVERSITY JOSEPH CREDIT: WIDE. (1.6 KM MI) 2.5 CONCENTRIC RINGS MARK THE SITE WHERE VOLCANIC HEAT MAY HAVE MELTED OR MELTED MAY HAVE HEAT VOLCANIC WHERE SITE THE MARK RINGS CONCENTRIC MELT OUT GIANT PITS CALLED “CAULDRONS” IN ICELAND. THIS CAULDRON IS ABOUT IS CAULDRON THIS ICELAND. IN “CAULDRONS” CALLED PITS GIANT OUT MELT WAY TOTHE VOLCANOES SIMILAR SURFACE, MARS THE NEAR ICE GLACIER EVAPORATED researchers prospect for glacial ice hidden beneath rock and soil on Mars. Future human human Future Mars. on soil and rock beneath hidden ice glacial for prospect researchers

Scientists fromScientists SEARCHING OUR SOLAR SYSTEM TO SYSTEM SOLAR OUR SEARCHING developed at for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface Near-surface to Ocean Sounding: and Assessment Europa for whether Jupiter’s icy moon Europa could harbor conditions suitable for life. The Radar Radar The life. for suitable conditions harbor could Europa moon icy Jupiter’s whether providing the first direct measurements of its subsurface structure using techniques techniques using structure subsurface its of measurements direct first the providing ment on Europa Clipper will revolutionize our understanding of Europa’s ice shell by shell ice of Europa’s understanding our revolutionize will Clipper Europa on ment FIND POTENTIAL HABITATS FOR LIFE FOR HABITATS POTENTIAL FIND history ofhistory leading space exploration efforts. AT JUPITER IN THE LATE 2020S, EUROPA CLIPPER CLIPPER EUROPA 2020S, LATE THE IN AT JUPITER OF A SUBSURFACE LIQUID OCEAN AND PROVIDING PROVIDING AND OCEAN LIQUID ASUBSURFACE OF SET TO LAUNCH IN THE EARLY 2020S AND ARRIVE AND 2020S EARLY THE IN TOLAUNCH SET HABITABILITY FOR LIFE CREDIT: NASA/JPL-CALTECH CREDIT: LIFE FOR HABITABILITY POTENTIAL MOON’S THE DATA TOUNDERSTAND DISCOVERY THE CONFIRMING AS SUCH DECADE, PROMISES EXCITING RESULTS IN THE UPCOMING UTIG UTIG to study ice sheets on Earth. Earth. on sheets ice study to are working with with working are NASA on the Europa Clipper mission to explore explore to mission Clipper Europa the on

REASON

continues Texas’s long continues (REASON) instru -

PLANETARY 10100 Burnet Road (R2200) Austin, Texas 78758-4445 Phone: 512-471-0464 Fax: 512-471-2370 [email protected] www.ig.utexas.edu

MOSAIC OF THE VALLES MARINERIS (COVER) BLUE MARBLE MOSAIC CREATED HEMISPHERE OF MARS PROJECTED INTO FROM PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN BY SATELLITES POINT PERSPECTIVE, A VIEW SIMILAR AND STITCHED TOGETHER TO CREATE THIS TO THAT WHICH ONE WOULD SEE FROM TRUE-COLOR IMAGE OF THE ENTIRE EARTH. A SPACECRAFT. CREDIT: NASA/JPL-CALTECH CREDIT: NASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER