The Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences provides a unique environment to study the multi-faceted nature of the science of the Earth and other planets. We thrive on interdisciplinary ventures, seeking to understand the fundamental workings of natural systems by examining physical, chemical, and biological processes occurring across a vast spectrum of time and space.
The EAPS three-day exploration program in Extreme Weather and Climate will cover some of the most interesting and challenging aspect of weather and climate research.
The first day of the program will be dedicated to extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and winter blizzards. What do we know about their nature and their frequency? Are they getting more extreme and more frequent?
The second day will focus on current issues of climate research. What have we learned from the past climate, what do we know of the present and what can we say about the future?
Lectures by experts in the field will be accompanied by rotating fluid laboratory experiments, intended to illustrate the behavior of fluids on the rotating earth. Students will have the opportunity to work in small groups and get their hands wet, discussing their results with faculty, graduate students and peers.
The final day of the program will be spent on a trip to the Mt Washington Observatory in New Hampshire. The 6288 ft mountain peak is known as the place where "extreme weather" is the norm. Here the students will be exposed to the challenges of observational meteorology together with a direct experience of the mountain environment and geology.
DEAPS Specifics:
Dates: Tuesday, August 19th through Friday, August 22nd.
Place: EAPS - Green Building (Blg. 54) ) and 1 day (with overnight
stay) in New Hampshire
Available Spaces: 15
Cost: The Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences will cover all costs.
Contact: Lodovica Illari
What Will We Do?
Tuesday, August 19th - Registration
- Dinner and activities to welcome you to EAPS
Wednesday, August 20th - Extreme Weather
- Breakfast
- Lecture by EAPS Faculty
- Hands on experiment: Part 1 - an "hurricane in a tank", the radial inflow experiment
- Lunch
- Hands on experiments: Part 2 - atmospheric data connection
- Dinner with students and faculty
- Informal discussion of lab experiments
Thursday, August 21st - Climate Change
- Breakfast
- Lecture by EAPS Faculty
- Hands on experiment: Part 1 - weather in a tank", the general circulation experiment
- Lunch
- Hands on experiments: Part 2 - atmospheric data connection
- Departure for New Hampshire.
- Dinner at a lodge and overnight stay
Friday, August 22nd - Visit to Mt Washington Observatory
- Breakfast
- Visit to the Mt Washington Observatory-meteorological instruments and observations
- Lunch
- Observations of the geology of the area
- Dinner
- 7:00 Departure for Boston
- Back to your dorm.
