Earle Wilson

Postdoctoral Scholar

Caltech

About me

I am a postdoctoral scholar at the California Institute of Technology, Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences. I am interested in ocean dynamics, ice-ocean interactions, sea ice variability, and high-latitude climate change.

For my PhD thesis, I studied sea ice-ocean interactions around Antarctica, using under-ice ocean data collected by Argo floats and instrumented seals as well as idealized ice-ocean models.

For my postdoctoral research, I am working with Professor Andrew Thompson to assess the impact of polar gyre dynamics on poleward heat transport and Southern Ocean overturning.

Recent Projects

The polar gyres of the Southern Ocean

The impact of polar gyre dynamics on poleward heat transport and Southern Ocean overturning.

SIE and SST variability in the Southern Ocean

Drivers of recent changes in sea ice extent (SIE) and sea surface temperature (SST) variability in the Southern Ocean

The Maud Rise Polynya

The recurrence of the Maud Rise polynya

Subglacial plume liftoff

The dynamics of a subglacial salt wedge

Ice Ocean Feedbacks

Wintertime feedbacks between sea ice and the upper ocean in the Southern Ocean

Outreach

I am currently a science communication fellow at the Seattle Pacific Science Center. I have designed and presented multiple planetarium shows that showcase observational field work in the Southern Ocean.

In 2016, I participated in the six-week long I08S GO SHIP cruise. In coordination with the SOCCOM project, I maintained a regular blog and took questions from a class of six graders at Lakeside Middle School in Seattle.