17 July 2012 Snow density calculations, video editing, waterfall and a little relaxing

Summary

In the morning students worked with IGERT fellow Kaitlin Keegan. Kaitlin had the students use their snow pit measurements they took at Summit to calculate the snow density as a function of depth. She then showed them data from 2010 and compared the results. Fie Thorup Hansen wrote up the results. The report is below.

Firn Density Measurements

At 8:30pm the group went to the local waterfall. Since its daylight 24/7, we can do fun things late into the evening. We returned at 11pm. Pictures are below.

Blogs

Kaitlin Keegan - IGERT Fellow, Dartmouth University

Hello, my name is Kaitlin Keegan and I’m a Ph.D. student from Dartmouth College, and I study the snow and firn at NEEM. I joined the JSEP program for the Science Education Week portion of their trip, and traveled with them to Summit. I had been to Summit Station once before, but arrived this time with new excitement thanks to all the students. They were all so enthusiastic about seeing the top of the ice sheet for the first time, and it was contagious.

The Summit staff was very welcoming when we arrived. In the three days that we were at the camp, they were able to show us all the measurements that they take on a weekly basis, and visited the TAWO and MSF facilities. We also dug a snow pit and took density measurements to compare with some of my density measurements from previous years at Summit. The students breathed new life into the fun of observing a snow pit and taking density measurements. We even left some snow pit wall art for the next visitors to see. I had a great time learning new card games and some Greenlandic phrases from them. The experience was reinvigorating for me. It’s easy to forget how special of a place the ice camps are when you are focused on science. So, this experience was a great reminder of how unique of an opportunity it is for me to do my research on the top of the ice sheet. Next time I return, I’m sure that I’ll have a big smile on my face remembering all the fun we had on the JSEP trip to Summit.