Science Caf̩: Changing Glaciers, Changing Landscapes

Submitted by Jenn Wagaman
Phone: (907) 474-5082
04/30/07

Melting glaciers are often pointed to as a sign of global warming. However, this process is more complex than simply melting ice. As a glacier retreats, what happens to the landscape that is left behind? What kind of plants and animals move in and take up residence? How does a retreating tidewater glacier affect the ocean?

Researcher Susan Hazlett will present "Changing Glaciers, Changing Landscapes"? Wednesday, May 2, 2007 at 7 p.m. at an International Polar Year Science CafÌ© event at Gulliver’s Books. The lecture will explore the glaciers of southeast Alaska, and discuss how the changes in those glaciers have affected the lives of the plants, animals and humans that inhabit the region.

The IPY Science CafÌ© is brought to you by the University of Alaska IPY Young Researchers’ Network. The network-powered by young scientists from UA campuses across the state- aims to take science off campus through outreach to the general public and students of Alaska. Science CafÌ© events are interactive lectures that will take part throughout IPY to give the public a chance to have one-on-one conversations with polar scientists or visiting specialists and to learn about the science that’s happening around the world. Wednesday will be the network’s third Science CafÌ© event in Fairbanks.

CONTACT: Jenn Wagaman, UAF Center for Research Services outreach coordinator, (907) 474-5082 or jenn@alaska.edu or Chris Petrich, postdoctoral fellow, (907) 474-6832 or chris.petrich@gi.alaska.edu.