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Statement from UW President on tragic deaths of two UW community members
Monday, March 21, 2022
The following is a statement from University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce following the news that a UW professor and a UW staff member were killed while diving off the coast of Mexico over the weekend. Evan Abramson was a research professor in the Department of Earth & Space Sciences who joined the UW 1988, with a brief stint in the 1990s at Brookhaven National Laboratories. Tom Schaefer, who earned a master's degree in oceanography at the UW, served in the School of Social Work for over 25 years and volunteered as an educator with the Seattle Aquarium and Pacific Marine Research since 1985.
Evan Abramson
"The University of Washington community is heartbroken over the tragic deaths of Evan Abramson and Tom Schaefer. Both had strong ties to our University community and we join their colleagues and loved ones in mourning this terrible loss.
"In his work as a research professor in Earth and space sciences, Evan studied the properties of materials at high pressure, with his recent scholarship advancing science that helps us better understand the icy worlds in and beyond our solar system.
Tom Schaefer
"And over the course of 25 years with the School of Social Work, Tom contributed to the success of the faculty, staff and students of the school by ensuring its spaces and facilities were comfortable and met their needs as scholars and professionals.
"Both Evan and Tom contributed immeasurably to our University community during their time at the UW, and that community should now come together to extend our condolences to their families and friends. We hope that their loved ones will find peace in memories of happier times."
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Isolab and Ice core research featured on KUOW’s SoundSide
Monday, March 21, 2022
ESS Chair Eric Steig was featured on KUOW talking about his research on ice cores. IsoLab, and the work of grad student Gemma O’Connor, are featured. Read More -
WA would invest millions to retrofit schools against earthquakes under bill awaiting Inslee's signature | The Seattle Times
Monday, March 21, 2022
Hundreds of school buildings across Washington state are likely to suffer major damage and cause severe injury in the event of an earthquake, according to the state Department of Natural Resources. That could possibly be prevented should a bill now on Gov. Jay Inslee desk get his signature. Harold Tobin, director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network and professor of Earth and space sciences at the UW, is quoted. Read More -
Seismologists investigating 'mystery boom' on Orcas Island | KING 5
Monday, March 21, 2022
A mystery boom recorded across the seismic network in the San Juan Islands is catching the attention of researchers. What could be the source? Steve Malone, research professor emeritus of Earth and space sciences at the UW, is interviewed. Read More -
What is Antarctic ice telling us? This UW scientist can translate | KUOW
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Sea ice around Antarctica is reaching record lows in 2022. The ice is melting from the bottom and high winds are pushing sheets of ice further apart. The more that ice melts, the more sea levels rise. That means more floods, storm surges, and erosion. Eric Steig, professor of Earth and space sciences at the UW, is interviewed. Read More -
Landslide closes highway 18 | KIRO 7
Thursday, March 3, 2022
David Montgomery, professor of Earth and space sciences at the UW, says that rain can lead fairly rapidly to shallow landslides. Read More -
The dangerous way tourism is polluting Antarctica and accelerating melting | Inverse
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
In a new study, published this week in the journal Nature Communications, a team of researchers has documented how black carbon, or soot, from the combustion engines that power generators, snowmobiles, tour boats, and more are leaving a mark on Antarctica. Steve Warren, professor emeritus of Earth and space sciences at the UW, is quoted. Read More -
You don't have to be a climber to explore the Cascades' mightiest glaciers | KING 5
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
Cascade Glacier Walking Tours allows hikers with no previous experience to traverse and explore some of the Cascades' mightiest glaciers in comfort and safety alongside a trained guide. Taryn Black, a UW doctoral student in Earth and space sciences, is interviewed. Read More -
Giant iceberg blocks scientists' study of 'Doomsday Glacier' | Associated Press
Thursday, February 3, 2022
Antarctica's so-called Doomsday Glacier, nicknamed because it is huge and coming apart, is mostly thwarting an international effort to figure out how dangerously vulnerable it is. Ian Joughlin, a glaciologist at the UW, is quoted. Read More -
Activity under Three Sisters volcanic region monitored by experts | KING 5
Wednesday, February 2, 2022
The ground is swelling under the Three Sisters volcanic region in central Oregon. The U.S. Geological Survey issued a statement that the rate of uplift in an area 12 miles across has risen nearly an inch between June of 2020 and August of 2021. Yet, this latest uplift comes after some 25 years of activity. Scientists say it's happening as lava is filling a space underground. Harold Tobin, director of the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network and professor of Earth and space sciences at the UW, is interviewed. Read More