| |
Dr. Don Blankenship Profile
Name: Dr. Don Blankenship
Title: Research Scientist and Director of the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics
Job Description: Don uses both airborne and ground-based geophysical techniques, including laser altimetry, radar sounding, seismic reflection and refraction, and potential fields methods, to investigate dynamics of large ice sheets and subglacial geology. Much of his current research is focused on understanding the West Antarctic rift system (including the flanking Transantarctic Mountains) and the marine-based West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Blankenship's recent aerogeophysical investigations have verified that there is a strong correlation between subglacial sediments and ice streaming; these airborne experiments also give indications of active subglacial volcanism near the critical region where ice streams begin. The airborne platform that he developed to simultaneously acquire ice- penetrating radar, laser altimetry, airborne gravity, and aeromagnetic measurements has become the foundation for an NSF-sponsored national facility for airborne geophysics in Antarctica (SOAR) operating from UTIG. Building on his expertise in radar sounding and ice sheets, Blankenship has become involved in the planning of an unmanned space mission to Europa, one of Jupiter's moons, which is thought to have an ice-covered ocean that may host exotic life. He has served on several definition teams for NASA’s Europa Orbiter Mission, currently planned to launch in 2006.
Interviews
Chat with Students
Links
University of Texas Staff Bio
|
Privacy Policy © Copyright 1999-2006, 4empowerment, All rights reserved.
Cyberways and Waterways is a trademark of 4empowerment and cannot be used without written authorization. There is no implied or express license to use these marks without the express written permission of 4empowerment.
| 
