ZN (2026-2026): Geophysical Characterization of Annual Glacier Outburst Flood Dynamics in McCarthy, Alaska

• The Wrangell Mountains Field Studies Program & University of Idaho

This project will deploy a comprehensive array of passive seismic instruments on and around Kennicott Glacier in southcentral Alaska to monitor multiple outburst floods over two melt seasons. We aim to advance understandings of glacier mechanics while building local resilience to evolving flood regimes through a community-oriented framework. We will test whether seismic power can serve as a reliable proxy to quantify lake drainage, sediment mobilization, and ice dynamics during extreme flooding events. We hypothesize that seismic signals will reveal systematic deviations from current empirical discharge models, indicating where these relationships require more nuanced approaches to capture rapid, high-magnitude drainage. By constraining breach mechanics, discharge propagation, subglacial routing, and downstream dynamics across multiple events, we can reduce uncertainties in numerical models such as r.avaflow. Through community co-design, we will integrate local priorities with field observations to understand how social and cultural contexts strengthen GLOF early warning systems. This work will also be done in partnership with the Wrangell Mountains Centre Field Studies Program as teaching faculty. Data and equipment will be used by research collaborators and student participants to explore geophysical methods and better understand glacial hazards through community-engaged practices for applications in higher-risk areas like Juneau. Basic Experimental Design Info: - 5-8 broadband seismometers (ie. Nanometrics Trillium Compact PH w/ Centaur or Pegasus Digitizer) for on-ice deployment (maybe 1-2 for off-ice deployment) - A series of seismic nodes for a denser array to study flood pressurization (depends on what is least needed, I have seen some surveys with very dense arrays of close to 30 nodes in an area smaller) - 5 GNSS/GPS - ~6 seismic nodes for proximal fluvial deployment (potentially not necessary for first field season) Extra for the field studies program -- could be cool to look at the internal structure of the ice and explore processing with students (not necessary for this year though) - 1 GPR system (50/100 Hz, I think?)

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