Programs

     The Terrestrial & Cryospheric Sciences Branch conducts research on the physics, geophysics, and geochemistry of terrain-atmosphere interaction and the dynamics of terrestrial material properties forced by weather and climate.

     Physics based research examines the details of the interactions among constituents of the terrain and processes in the lower atmosphere.

     Geophysical research consists of understanding and modeling the state variables describing terrain, including urban features as well as vegetation, soil, snow and ice covers as well as urban features.

     Interdisciplinary investigations integrate research topic areas such as hydrology, meteorology, oceanography, geomorphology, fluid dynamics, and glacial and surficial geology. Novel approaches to remotely sense Earth surface properties provide a complementary area of study. Military efforts produce information and products used in mission planning and tactical decision aids, which incorporate the effects of the changing Earth surface on the activities and operations of our armed forces.

     Our Research includes a Civil Works mission, a Military mission, and a Cryospheric mission:

     Our Civil Works mission supports Corps Districts and Departments of Public Works (DPWs) in environmental site assessment and cleanup.

     Our Military mission focuses on the Warfighter; and consists of understanding how the terrain changes dramatically with weather. These changes directly impact the operation of ground and air sensors used to target enemy vehicles and track military operations.

     Our Cryospheric mission is to advance the fundamental understanding of snow, ice, and frozen ground properties and processes. Toward this end, our investigations literally take us to the ends of the earth.

Image Above:  Terrestrial & Cryospheric Sciences Branch members Bruce Elder (left) and Dr. Don Perovich (right) hold the American flag while standing at the North Pole on September 12, 2005. Between Bruce and Don are University of Washington researchers Dr. Tom Grenfell and Jeremy Harbeck, also members of the Sea-Ice research team on this expedition.

|| Terrestrial & Cryospheric Sciences Branch ||

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USACE Engineer Research and Development Center
Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory
72 Lyme Road, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA 03755-1290
Public Affairs Office: info@crrel.usace.army.mil or 603-646-4292
Pagemaster: Keran.J.Claffey@erdc.usace.army.mil or 603-646-4634
Updated: 14 Oct 2006 (kjc)