Dougal D. Hansen
Photo by Nate Stevens
I am a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who studies earth surface processes in the cryosphere. I combine novel experimental methods, field work, and numerical models to investigate the complex dynamics of glaciers and their influence on the landscape. My works seeks to understand the physical processes that influence glacier motion, erosion, water flux, and the production and distribution of sediment in cold regions. Insights gained from my research are aimed at improving ice sheet models and predictions of sea level rise, as well as enhancing our understanding of climate evolution on geologic timescales. If you have any inquiries regarding my research interests or work, feel free to contact me through email or social media. Thank you for taking the time to visit my personal academic website, and I am excited to connect with you!
Welcome!
Experimental Glaciology
Studying the hidden subglacial processes that shape our planet can be difficult in the field due to the immense logistical challenges of accessing the interface between glacier ice and its bed. A large component of my work employs custom-built laboratory devices, such as the cryogenic ring shear device shown here, to study subglacial processes in the lab. By carefully simulating this icy world, we gain unprecedented insight into the physics that sculpt landscapes in cold regions and regulate ice flux to global oceans.
Field work
Glaciers are pristine natural laboratories to expand upon and inspire my experimental observations. My collaborators and I apply a range of techniques in the field, including passive and active seismology and hydrologic surveys, to examine the complex factors that influence glacier motion and its evolution over time. These studies allow us to gain a more comprehensive understanding of glaciers' responses to climate change and their impact on the global water cycle.
Hydrologic survey at Bench Glacier, Alaska (Photo by Nate Stevens)