Juneau Icefield Research Program

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Juneau Icefield Research Program
Juneau Icefield Camp 10.jpg
JIRP field camp 10, on the Taku Glacier.
Founded1946
Located Juneau, Alaska
Field of Study Glaciology

The Juneau Icefield Research Program (JIRP) is a student research program that focuses on the study of the Juneau Icefield, a collection of glaciers near Juneau, Alaska. Currently run by the University of Maine with support from the University of Alaska Southeast, it is the longest running icefield research program in North America. [1] [2] [3] Students start in Juneau and traverse the icefield in 8 weeks, ending in Atlin, British Columbia. [1] [4]

Contents

History

The Juneau Icefield Research Program was founded in the 1940s by Maynard Miller, a glaciologist who was on a surveying expedition of the icefield led by William B. Osgood Field Jr. It was led by Miller until his death in 2014. [2] [5] [6] It is currently run by the University of Maine and the University of Alaska Southeast. [2]

Research

JIRP has collected and analyzed the surface mass-balance of the Juneau Icefield since 1946, primarily focusing on the Lemon Creek Glacier and Taku Glacier. [3] Students in the program learn mountaineering and glacial travel skills while conducting research on the surrounding ice. [1] [4] [6] Although primarily an undergraduate research program, it is open to graduate students and high school students. [2] [7]

Notable alumni

Some notable JIRP alumni include:

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "A 70-Year-Old Glacial Study Almost Died When the World Needed It Most". Popular Mechanics. 2018-09-12. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Huff, Ben. "These Students Are Part of a 75-Year Study to Map Alaska's Glaciers". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  3. 1 2 Pelto, M.; Kavanaugh, J.; McNeil, C. (2013-11-15). "Juneau Icefield Mass Balance Program 1946–2011". Earth System Science Data. 5 (2): 319–330. Bibcode:2013ESSD....5..319P. doi: 10.5194/essd-5-319-2013 . ISSN   1866-3516.
  4. 1 2 Santer, Ben. "Studying Climate Change in One of the Grandest Classrooms in the World". Scientific American. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  5. ↑ "Maynard Malcolm Miller". AAG. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  6. 1 2 Getraer, Alec (2018-10-02). "Active Engagement and Mentorship on the Juneau Icefield". Princeton Correspondents on Undergraduate Research. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
  7. ↑ "Juneau Icefield Research Program - International Arctic Science Committee". iasc.info. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  8. 1 2 U.S, Arctic Research Consortium of the. "70 Years of Science and Education on the Juneau Icefield: History, Reflections, and New Directions". www.arcus.org. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
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