Candidate Presentation

Dr. Joshua Kelly, Cal State — Los Angeles

“A Satellite’s Perspective of Shifting Sand and Snow”

ABSTRACT: Studying the effects of a changing climate on coastal and glacial landscapes often requires the use of satellite remote sensing due to the logistical hurdles presented by traveling to and working in such environments. An important component of remote sensing studies that is often overlooked is validating that what we are observing from space-borne platforms is representative of what is happening on the ground. In this seminar, I will talk about how I combine satellite datasets with in situ field data to study coastal geomorphic change in Australia and California and glacial deformation on the Juneau Icefield in Alaska. More specifically, how certain climate phases control cycles of erosion and accretion on Australia’s sandy coastlines and implications that has for future modeled climate scenarios. In addition, I will discuss how the latest satellite technology can significantly enhance our ability to monitor coastal change at spatiotemporal scales previously only attainable by field and light aircraft surveys. Following this, I will introduce my research with the Juneau Icefield Research Program where I am assessing how reliable satellite-derived glacial flow velocities are by comparison to RTK-GPS velocity measurements made across various glaciers on the Icefield. Plans for future research that involve quantifying and identifying climate drivers of shoreline change in Rhode Island, mapping shallow water bathymetry using multispectral drone data, and glacier radar facies analysis will conclude the seminar.