معرفی
William H. Armstrong is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Appalachian State University. His research focuses on earth surface dynamics, particularly glacier basal motion and river systems, utilizing remote sensing, field experiments, and numerical modeling. He also contributes to undergraduate education through courses like Mechanics of Earth Systems and Senior Seminar (Geology Capstone).
- PhD in Geological Sciences (2017) from the University of Colorado at Boulder
- BS in Environmental Geoscience (2010) from Boston College
His research interests span glaciology, Arctic earth systems, and climate change impacts on glaciers. He investigates basal motion sensitivity to meltwater, ice-marginal lake formation, and downstream geomorphic effects. His NSF-funded projects include studies on Athabasca Glacier's 55-year velocity decline and frontal ablation processes on lake-terminating glaciers in Alaska.
His peer-reviewed publications (2020-2025) reveal trends in glacier dynamics and proglacial lake evolution, with recent work demonstrating the dominance of declining basal motion in glacier slowdowns and topographic controls on lake area changes. He collaborates with institutions like the University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Colorado, and ETH Zurich.
Scientific Awards:
- National Science Foundation grants (2018-2024)
- American Geophysical Union Centennial Grant (2019-2020)
He mentors undergraduate researchers in projects involving satellite remote sensing and fieldwork, with students contributing to publications and AGU presentations. His teaching philosophy emphasizes quantitative skills, geospatial analysis, and employability in earth sciences.
