Eric is a geophysicist with a background in radar, potential fields, glaciology, and planetary science. At DGGS he supports the Mineral Resources team's mapping efforts by managing airborne magnetic, radiometric, gravimetric, and electromagnetic surveying. He is also interested in the application of geophysics to geothermal, permafrost, and geohazards assessments.
Eric is passionate about Alaskan geomorphology and recreation. He is an avid skier, packrafter, and weekend explorer and couldn't imagine a better place to live than Alaska.
Education and/or Training
PhD, 2018, University of Texas at Austin Institute for Geophysics, Geosciences. Dissertation title: "The Ice Content and Internal Structure of Candidate Debris-Covered Glaciers on Mars and Earth: Insights from Radar Sounding."
BSc, 2012, Simon Fraser University, Physics.
Projects and/or Research Interests
Eric currently works in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey on the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI). As a part of Earth MRI he manages survey contracting, quality control, and publication of aeromagnetic, radiometric, and gravity data over areas of Alaska tagged for exploration of critical minerals.
Eric also supports state-funded airborne electromagnetic surveys for mineral exploration in collaboration with industry partners. He has previous experience in ground-based EM for surveying rock glaciers and is interested in the use of the technique for permafrost and hazards assessment.
Eric has broad experience using various geophysical and remote sensing techniques to address research questions in planetary science, glaciology, and permafrost. He is interested to leverage this experience to support efforts at hazards assessment, permafrost mapping, and geothermal exploration in the state of Alaska.
Professional Experience
2025-Present, Geophysicist/Geologist 4, Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys
2024-2025, Senior Staff Scientist, Geosyntec Consultants
2021-2023, Research Associate, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks
2020-2021, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks
2008-2020, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona
Selected Publications
- Petersen, E.I., Hock, R., and Loso, M.G., 2024, Stream hydrology controls on ice cliff evolution and survival on debris-covered glaciers: Earth Surface Dynamics, v. 12, no. 3, p. 727-745. https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-12-727-2024
- Meng, T.M., Aguilar, R., Christoffersen, M.S., Petersen, E.I., Larsen, C.F., Levy, J.S., and Holt, J.W., 2023, Photogrammetric monitoring of rock glacier motion using high-resolution cross-platform datasets: formation age estimation and modern thinning rates: Remote Sensing, v. 15, no. 19, 4779. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15194779
- Meng, T.M., Petersen, E.I., and Holt, J.W., 2022, Rock glacier composition and structure from radio wave speed analysis with dipping reflector correction: Journal of Glaciology, v. 69, no. 275, p. 639-657. https://doi.org/10.1017/jog.2022.90
- Petersen, E.I., Hock, R., Fochesatto, G.J., and Anderson, L.S., 2022, The significance of convection in supraglacial debris revealed through novel analysis of thermistor profiles: JGR: Earth Surface, v. 127, no. 9, e2021JF006520. https://doi. org/10.1029/2021JF006520
- Petersen, E.I., and Holt, J.W., 2021, Surface roughness prevents radar penetration of some Martian debris-covered glaciers: Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, v. 60, p. 1-7, art no. 5104307. https://doi.org/10.1109/TGRS.2021.3094762
- Morgan, G.A., Putzig, N.E., Perry, M.R., Sizemore, H.G., Bramson, A.M., Petersen, E.I., Bain, Z.M., Baker, D.M.H., Mastrogiuseppe, M., Hoover, R.H., Smith, I.B., Pathare, A., Dundas, C.M., and Campbell, B.A., 2021, Availability of subsurface water-ice resources in the northern mid-latitudes of Mars: Nature Astronomy, v. 5, p. 230-236. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-020-01290-z
- Petersen, E.I., Levy, J.S., Holt, J.W., and Stuurman, C.M., 2020, New insights into ice accumulation at Galena Creek Rock Glacier from radar imaging of its internal structure: Journal of Glaciology, v. 66, no. 255, p. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1017/jog.2019.67
- Petersen, E.I., Holt, J.W., Levy, J.S., and , 2018, High ice purity of Martian lobate debris aprons at the regional scale: Evidence from an orbital radar sounding survey in Deuteronilus and Protonilus Mensae: Geophysical Research Letters, v. 45, no. 21, p. 11,595-11,604. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL079759
- Mommert, M., Trilling, D.E., Borth, D., Jedicke, R., Butler, N., Reyes-Ruiz, M., Pichardo, B., Petersen, E.I., Axelrod, T., and Moskovitz, N., 2016, First results from the rapid-response spectrophotometric characterization of near-earth objects using UKIRT: The Astronomical Journal, v. 151, no. 4. https://doi.org/10.3847/0004-6256/151/4/98
- Wheler, B.A., MacDougall, A.H., Flowers, G.E., Petersen, E.I., Whitfield, P.H., and Kohfeld, K.E., 2014, Effects of temperature forcing provenance and extrapolation on the performance of an empirical glacier-melt model: Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, v. 46, no. 2, p. 379-393. https://doi.org/10.1657/1938-4246-46.2.379
