Lucas Zoet

Research

Surface processes affect the world around us every day. They dictate a safe location for building a structure or help us better understand future sea-level rise. I work on surface processes related to glaciers and coastal environments.

I conduct research aimed at understanding the physics of glacier motion through field observation, laboratory experiments, numerical modeling, and theoretical analysis. My work sits at the intersection of glaciology and glacial geology. I use a variety of geophysical and geological methods to explore glacial processes in modern glaciers as well as landforms left behind by Pleistocene glaciers. I also work on coastal processes using a range of instruments and new field and modeling techniques to estimate bluff stability and nearshore sediment transport processes. Wisconsin is a world-class location to study both glacial and coastal processes.

Research Areas

• Glacial basal slip processes
• Glacial hydrology
• Glacial erosion mechanics
• Glacial seismicity
• Glacial landform development
• Great Lakes coastal erosion
• The effects of ice on coastal geomorphology
• Solar System Ices physical and chemical processes

Publications

Google Scholar

Teaching

• GEOSCI 109: Geology of the National Parks
• GEOSCI 202: Introduction to Geologic Structures
• GEOSCI 320: Geomorphology
• GEOSCI 420: Glacial and Pleistocene Geology
• GEOSCI 720: Glaciology
• GEOSCI 920: Glacial and Pleistocene Seminar
• GEOSCI 875: Field Class

Service

• L&S Inclusive Excellence Committee
• Antarctica InSync – Basal process co-lead
• International Glaciological Society – Council Member
• Dept of Geoscience Council Member
• Dept of Geoscience Undergraduate Studies Member
• Dept of Geoscience tenure committee chair
• Dept of Geoscience tenure committee member
• Faculty Supervisor for Department of Engineering
• Member of Geological Engineering
• Member of American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program