Summer Rupper
Assistant Professor
Office, S317 ESC
(801) 422-6946
Paleoclimate Laboratory, S378 ESC
(801) 422-6946
Paleoclimate Laboratory, S378 ESC
Glaciology Laboratory, C180 ESC
Only by understanding the natural climate system of Earth can we hope to unravel the intricacies of anthropogenic changes superimposed on that system. My current research projects are part of this larger effort to characterize the natural climate variability – with a particular emphasis on glaciers as recorders and indicators of climate. On-going projects include analysis of stable isotopes from high alpine ice cores, reconstructions of past climate using ice core chemistry and snow accumulation data, reconciling geomorphic evidence of past glacier extents with climate, and quantifying glacier sensitivity to climate change.
Projects
See projects page for a description and preliminary results of the following projects:
1. Annual Satellite Era Accumulation Patterns Over WAIS Divide: A Study Using Shallow Ice Cores, Near-Surface Radars and Satellites
Co-PIs: Lora Koenig (NASA-Goddard), Rick Forster (UU)
Students: Landon Burgener
Funding: National Science Foundation
2. Glacier Sensitivity to Climate Change - Quantifying the Influence of Tributary Glaciers
Co-PIs: John McBride (BYU), Scott Ritter (BYU), Dave Tingey (BYU), Michelle
Koutnik (Copenhagen), Martin Luethi (ETH)
Students: Annika Quick, Landon Buregener, Nathan Jones, Adam McKean
Funding: National Science Foundation and College of Physical and Mathematical
Sciences
3. Impact of Climate Change on Glacier Health and Water Resources in the Indus Watershed, NW Himalaya
Co-PIs: Michele Koppes (UBC), Milap Sharma (JNU)
Students: Maria Asay, Chris Burton, Annika Quick
Funding: BYU Mentoring Environment Grant
4. Effect of Pluvial Lake Changes on Regional Climate Sensitivity and Glacier Mass Balance in the US Continental Interior, Utah
Co-PIs: Claire Todd (PLU), Michele Koppes (UBC)
Students: Nathan Jones, Chris Burton, Landon Burgener
Funding: BYU Mentoring Environment Grant