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Atmospheric Sciences
The Atmospheric Sciences group studies the physical, chemical and dynamical processes
of the atmosphere from the unique vantage point of the polar region. The group strives to understand
the polar atmosphere and its role within the Earth system. Many topics bear directly on societal issues
related to climate variability and change.
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Space Physics and Aeronomy
The Space Physics & Aeronomy research group studies Earth's geospace environment,
which extends from the surface of the sun to Earth's atmosphere. The group uses
ground-based observations of magnetic fluctuations, infrasound, light from
auroral emissions, and radio signals reflected from ionospheric irregularities.
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Snow, Ice and Permafrost
The Snow, Ice & Permafrost research group seeks to understand the properties of Earth's
icy regions, known as the cryosphere, and the physical processes that occur within them.
Scientists study the role of snow, ice and permafrost in shaping the landscape, and the
changes that occur as the Arctic climate warms.
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Seismology and Geodesy
The Seismology group conducts research and monitors Alaska's earthquakes and tsunamis. The group
includes the State Seismology Lab. Alaska lies in a tectonically complex region bounded by a major
subduction zone. The group carries out high-resolution seismic recordings and studies the motion
and configuration of tectonic plates.
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Tectonics and Sedimentation
The Tectonics & Sedimentation research group strives to reconstruct the processes of Earth's
history over a variety of timescales. Alaska and the adjacent regions of the circumpolar north
provide a rich environment for such research. The Pacific North American and Eurasian plates
meet in Alaska, creating a natural laboratory for research in this area.
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Remote Sensing
The Remote Sensing group develops and uses data from satellite, ground-based and
airborne sources to address Earth and planetary science topics. The group studies
volcanology, sea ice, permafrost, crustal deformation, impact craters, land use and
hazard monitoring.
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Volcanology
Alaska is the nation's most volcanically active state, with eruptions of broad impact. The Volcanology
group studies volcanoes and eruptions using remote sensing, infrasound, chemical analyses,
and special instrumentation. The group also studies volcanoes throughout the world and maintains
active collaborations with Alaska Volcano Observatory partners and with other universities worldwide.
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A sled dog stands alert on a snowy porch in early April in Two Rivers, just outside of Fairbanks, Alaska, watching a pair of moose among birch and spruce trees in the forest beyond. Sunlight filters through the trees onto the snow-covered ground as the moose partially hide in the woods.

Alaska climate report: April brought sharp weather swings

April was a month of meteorological change in Alaska, as expected each year. What stood out this time, however, was the wide range of conditions during those changes. April featured several storms that brought unsettled weather and strong temperature swings, particularly in the state’s northern and…

A NASA sounding rocket carrying the FOXSI-5 mission lifts off from Poker Flat Research Range north of Fairbanks at 11:23 a.m. Thursday, May 14, 2026. A bright plume of flame and smoke rises from the launch pad as the rocket climbs above a dense forest of spruce and leafless birch trees.

Mission to study solar flares launches from Poker Flat

A NASA sounding rocket launched from Poker Flat Research Range at 11:23 a.m. Thursday in a continuing mission that uses X-rays to study the sun. The NASA Black Brant IX rocket carried the Focusing Optics X-ray Solar Imager to record large solar flares. The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical…

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Waiting to fail

Research about 2025 Alaska landslide and tsunami warns that more are coming

Three bundled researchers work at a snow-covered permafrost coring site in a boreal forest near Fairbanks under a bright, low winter sun. From left, Louise Farquharson of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute, and Shannon Hibbard and Jennifer Kielhofer, both of the Desert Research Institute, operate coring equipment beside a dug trench, with shovels, packs and field gear spread across the snow in the Goldstream Creek area on March 23, 2026.

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Reading the permafrost

Scientists want to understand how people can adapt to, and plan for, a warming Arctic.

The payload section of the FOXSI-5 mission rests on a wheeled support frame inside the payload assembly building at Poker Flat Research Range. The cylindrical instrument, wrapped partly in gold thermal insulation, is surrounded by equipment crates and technicians preparing it for flight.

Poker Flat to launch rocket to image solar flares

The fifth flight of a NASA-led mission using X-rays to learn more about the sun is scheduled for a daytime launch from Poker Flat Research Range during the first two weeks of May. The latest Focusing Optics X-ray Solar Imager launch will focus on large solar flares. FOXSI-5 is led by assistant…

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Mind-bending science for this science layman

“It’s like science class every day.”

Time Capsule: The world according to a dog’s nose

Note: This Alaska Science Forum “Time Capsule” article was originally published on Sept. 28, 2023.

Ned, Kristen and Anna Rozell stand together in the UAF Great Hall's building lobby. Ned is dressed in UAF regalia after being awarded the AF Gold Ceremony on May 1, where Ned was awarded Science Writer Emeritus.

This one's for you, Ned!

It’s been a big spring for now-former Alaska Science Forum author Ned Rozell.

Paul Salopek, a writer who has been walking around the world for more than a decade, strides along the bear-footed beachfront near Malaspina Glacier in August 2025. Photo by Ned Rozell.

Meeting deadlines and interesting people

The deadline has been my quietly relentless muse for the last 30 years. She used to give me headaches. But then I met her so many times that the headaches stopped.

Forest Wagner rides his fat bike near Bishop Rock, right, a pinch point on the flow of the Yukon River, on April 5, 2026. Photo by Ned Rozell.

Bishop Rock’s oversized effect on breakup

A few weeks ago, as my friend Forest and I rode our bikes on the vast white sheet of the frozen Yukon River downstream of Galena, the river forced us into a 90-degree hard left.

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In the News

Student Scientists

Kyra Bornong, 2024 UAF Geophysical Institute Schaible Fellowship recipient

Meet Ph.D. student Amy Hendricks

Gabrielle Nowak at AGU23

Victor Devaux-Chupin at AGU23

Chynna Spitler at AGU23

Kaytan Kelkar at AGU 2023

Meet graduate student researcher Emily Fedders

Salcha quake provided a rapid-response opportunity for UAF grad students

Anika Pinzner at AGU 2023

Meet graduate student researcher Gabrielle Nowak

Meet graduate student researcher Sebin John

Meet Ph.D. student Amy Jenson

CeCe Borries-Strigle at AGU 2023

Meet Ph.D. student Wisnu Priyanto

Valerie Wasser at AGU23

Meet graduate student researcher Audrianna ‘Ozzy' Schneider

Meet master's student Robin Carbaugh

Amy Jenson at AGU 2023

Michael Cristoffersen at AGU23

Zack Williams, 2024 UAF Geophysical Institute Schaible Fellowship recipient

Meet Ph.D. student Valerie Wasser

Dillon Gillespie at AGU 2023

Sam McKay at AGU 2023

Meet Ph.D. student Austin Smith

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