University of Alaska Geophysical Institute Synthetic Aperture Radar Facility
Located on the campus of the University of Alaska, the Geophysical Institute is known internationally for the study of the Earth's physical environment at high latitudes. The Geophysical Institute is one of a few institutions in the USA where scientific studies cover the breadth of geophysical disciplines (space physics, aeronomy, meteorology, seismology, volcanology, glaciology, geology, and geophysics).
The Institute houses the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Facility, which is operated jointly by NASA, the University of Alaska, and international flight agencies. This Facility acquires and processes SAR imagery for the international scientific community as an aid to better understand Earth processes. Products derived from the Facility include the detection of snow, ice, frozen ground, and seasonal changes in land cover.
The Bonanza Creek LTER site is
located about 20 km southwest of Fairbanks and is one of 18 sites in the USA
devoted to long-term ecological research. The focus of the research program
at this site is toward an improved understanding of forest succession,
nutrient dynamics, and trends in ecological phenomena of the boreal complex.
The ease of access to the Bonanza Creek LTER site and close proximity to the
University create a unique opportunity in furthering our understanding of
systems dynamics at high latitudes. Four topographical zones that
characterize the site include the upland hills, lowland toeslopes, Tanana
River terrace, and Tanana River floodplain. The thickness of permafrost
varies across the landscape, from 110 m on the lowlands to no permafrost on
southerly aspects.
Excavated in 1965 by the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, the
Permafrost Tunnel is a monument to our modern engineering capability. The
Tunnel is located near Fox, Alaska (15 km from Fairbanks). No other place in
the world offers the convenience of observing a variety of underground ice
forms.
The Permafrost Tunnel is nearly 100 m in length and dug into a near-vertical
silt escarpment. The Tunnel is the only underground laboratory in the Western
World where permafrost can be conveniently studied. Massive ice wedges dating
back 30,000 years are seen protruding the walls of the tunnel.
Located near the University of Alaska-Fairbanks campus is the Large Animal Research Facility.
The Facility is one of a few worldwide where research is directed toward a
better understanding of the nutritional and behavioral characteristics of
caribou, reindeer, and muskoxen. The Facility was established in 1979 and
comprises 60 ha of pasture and forest as well as housing and handling units.
Approximately 6000 to 7000 people visit the Facility during the 90 day tour
period (June through August) each year.
Participants will have the opportunity to see thermokarsts as well as frost heave of roads and buildings. Permafrost
consolidation and frost heave are all but too common of a problem in
construction in interior Alaska.
Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) Site
CRREL Permafrost Tunnel
University of Alaska Large Animal Research Facility
Other Interesting Sites