Spring Break
Professor explores Antarctic desert
Jol presents findings of two-week trip to South Pole
Tara Bannow
Issue date: 1/29/07 Section: Campus News
"It's very similar to going to the hospital and having an X-ray or an MRI done," Jol said. "The difference is that with GPR we're learning about layers beneath the ground rather than layers of the body."
The project marks the first time people were able to observe the internal layering of the dunes by looking at images of them, Jol said.
"We were able to see into the dunes tens of meters deep, which we did not expect," Jol said. "We were stunned to find that the thickness of the sand and orientation of the layering were different than anyone thought, which changes the interpretation of the area."
Junior Ellen Chase, who has taken several of Jol's classes, said Jol understands the importance of hands-on research in trying to learn about the physical world.
"I guess I would say that what's cool about Harry is that he's interested in what students want to learn and shapes his syllabus around what students are interested in," she said.
"Who knew? I didn't even know there was sand in Antarctica."
The project marks the first time people were able to observe the internal layering of the dunes by looking at images of them, Jol said.
"We were able to see into the dunes tens of meters deep, which we did not expect," Jol said. "We were stunned to find that the thickness of the sand and orientation of the layering were different than anyone thought, which changes the interpretation of the area."
Junior Ellen Chase, who has taken several of Jol's classes, said Jol understands the importance of hands-on research in trying to learn about the physical world.
"I guess I would say that what's cool about Harry is that he's interested in what students want to learn and shapes his syllabus around what students are interested in," she said.
"Who knew? I didn't even know there was sand in Antarctica."
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