Science Speaks: TERC lecture on The Last Ice Area

UC Davis TERC is hosting its next Science Speaks lecture The Last Area with Dr. Warwick Vincent at Granlibakken Tahoe on May 18.

In a recent commentary published in the journal Science, it was reported that the northern edge of the Canadian Arctic archipelago and Greenland is where the world’s oldest and thickest ice is found (Radio Canada International; December 2, 2020). It was also reported that this will be the last refuge for ice-dependent species. The commentary was titled, “Witnessing Ice Habitat Collapse in the Arctic.”

In the summer of 2020, the Milne Ice shelf collapsed losing 43 percent of its expanse. The Ward Hunt Ice Shelf, the largest landfast area of ice collapsed into ice islands in the summers of 2011 and 2012. Only small segments remain on the sides of the bay. The ice had been damming a freshwater lake which drained and disappeared when the shelf began to crack in 2002. The Serson Ice Shelf lost 121 square kilometers of its extent. And the 10-story high Markham Ice Shelf which Vincent worked on in 2007, had disappeared when he returned in 2008.

”All the models indicate that the northern latitudes will show the greatest and most rapid climate change. And we have seen some spectacular changes," said Vincent. "So much of the landscape depends on ice, and we’ve seen ice-covered lakes that have been frozen for a thousand years suddenly become open water."

Dr. Vincent leads the Aquatic Ecosystem Studies laboratory at Université Laval in Québec, Canada. Vincent and his research group study lakes, rivers, and coastal oceans, with an emphasis on high-latitude ecosystems. They have a special interest in the diversity of aquatic life at the base of food webs, and how aquatic ecosystems respond to environmental change.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Presentation begins at 6 p.m. at Granlibakken, 725 Granlibakken Road just south of Tahoe City.

There will be an open bar with wine, beer, mixed cocktails, sodas, and sparkling water. Granlibakken can accept credit cards or cash. They will also be providing a fruit, cheese, and charcuterie tray. Dining is also available at the Cedar House Pub inside Granlibakken.

Advanced Tickets are $10 and free for students with a student ID, tickets at the door are $15. Purchase HERE. Refreshments and a no-host bar will be available from 5:30 - 6 p.m. The lecture will begin at 6 p.m. in the Mountain Room at Granlibakken Tahoe, 725 Granlibakken Rd, Tahoe City (please note new event location).

For a live stream link of the event starting at 6 p.m., please visit: https://tahoe.ucdavis.edu/events/last-ice-area and scroll down the link will be available near the bottom of the webpage.

For more information call 775-881-7560, or visit http://tahoe.ucdavis.edu/events/.