Erin Pettit, 2007 Women of Discovery Earth Award

"Observe the world around you with all your senses. Absorb it, be mindful of the details. And ask questions." — Erin Pettit

Glaciologist and Educator

Born: 1971-01-01

Hometown: Seattle, WA

Education: PhD in Geophysics

Achievements

Discoveries: How the behavior of a single ice crystal affects the flow of an entire glacier

Expeditions: Antarctica (West Antarctic Divide, Siple Dome and the Dry Valleys); Alaska (Brooks Range); Washing (Mt Ranier, Mt Olympus, and North Cascades glaciers); and British Columbia (Mt Waddington)

Biography

Erin Pettit is a glaciologist who has researched the dynamics of ice flow from Antarctica to Mount Rainier. An ardent outdoorswoman who studies and teaches about alpine wildlands, she is currently studying dry valley glaciers. Erin's educational program, "Girls On Ice," provides high school girls the opportunity to learn the scientific method while gaining mountaineering and wilderness skills. As she mentors future female scientists, Dr. Pettit is also conducting critical research into the dynamic behaviors of ice divides, the movement of glaciers, and the formation of glacial ice cliffs. 

Fun Facts

Favorite Item to have in the field: "Big orange" (my down parka), my senses and an open mind

Heroes: Katherine Olson, my cousin who taught me how to be me