Glacial resources is next topic at SEF Science Café

Bill Baccus discusses snow pack, glaciers and more at Science Cafe on Jan. 12.

As a National Park Service physical scientist based at Olympic National Park, Bill Baccus works as a field scientist for the North Coast and Cascades Network operating a network of climate stations within the park to study winter snow pack, glaciers, mountain lakes and study coastal ecosystems.

Baccus is the guest speaker for the next Science Café, presented by the Sequim Education Foundation, set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, at the Paradise Restaurant, 703 N. Sequim Ave.

Baccus’ talk introduces the glacial resources at Olympic National Park and he discusses the methods used in the inventory of the park’s glaciers. Those methods include using high-resolution aerial photos and high precision GPS to calculate surface area and changes in glacier ice thickness. He and his staff have replicated (reshot) historical photos, providing a visual record of changes over the past century.

Baccus, who just finished his 30th year of field study in the park, also is co-author of a recent publication in the Journal of Glaciology entitled, “Glacier status and contribution to streamflow in the Olympic Mountains, Washington, USA.”

The Science Café is a community service of the Sequim Education Foundation. Programs present expert speakers for adult and young adult audiences interested in current developments in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Science Café events are held on the second Tuesday of the month at the Paradise Restaurant. Admission is free and food and beverages are available for purchase.

For more information about the Sequim Education Foundation, see www.sequimed.org.