UTSA team to study Mexico's highest point, Pico de Orizaba

Pico de Orizaba, Mexico
(Photo by Blake Weissling)

By Christi Fish
Public Affairs Specialist

(April 20, 2010)--Research Assistant Professor Blake Weissling in the UTSA Department of Geological Sciences is getting a first-hand look at one of the only pieces of glacial ice left in the tropical northern hemisphere.

Weissling and Michael Lewis, a doctoral candidate in environmental science and engineering, are teaming up with colleagues from Southwest Research Institute and the University of Veracruz to study Pico de Orizaba's summit glacier on a research expedition April 17-25. They are funded, in part, by a fellowship from the UTSA Mexico Center through a program that encourages joint faculty/student research and collaboration between UTSA and researchers in Mexico.

Sitting at 18,490 feet, Pico de Orizaba is Mexico's highest point and the third highest peak in North America. The dormant volcano is part of the Eje Volcanico Transversal mountain range, situated due east of Mexico City on the border between Veracruz and Puebla.

While in Mexico, Weissling and Lewis's team will take measurements to determine the glacier's current area and mass. They will use GPS to map the edges of the glacier and ground penetrating radar to estimate its thickness. The radar recordings also will reveal information about the bedrock surface that lies beneath Pico de Orizaba's summit glacier.

"We know the glacier is melting, but we don't know how fast that's happening or why," said Weissling. "Is it melting due to climate change, or is it because the volcano is heating up from within? To study that, we need to know how much glacial ice is there."

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UTSA Mexico Center fellowship program

Established in October 2005, the UTSA Mexico Center is the umbrella organization that connects the university's Mexico-related experts. It is engaged in research and educational projects to promote greater knowledge and understanding of issues facing immigrants from Mexico.

Through a generous gift by the Carlos and Malu Alvarez International Study Fund, the center offers fellowships for students to travel to Mexico for research related to U.S.-Mexico relations or Mexico-related projects. The fellowships are competitive and selected by the UTSA Mexico Center advisory board. The Orizaba study is the first to be funded for research by the College of Sciences.

Events

Wednesday, February 1, 2:00 p.m.

STEM Career Expo

The UTSA University Career Center invites you to attend the STEM Career Expo from 2 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feburary 1. Meet, connect and recruit UTSA students and alumni.

H-E-B Student Union Ballroom

Wednesday, February 8, 2:00 p.m.

All Majors Career Expo

The UTSA University Career Center invites you to attend the All Majors Career Expo from 2 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feburary 8. Meet, connect and recruit UTSA students.

H-E-B Student Union Ballroom

Friday, February 10, 10:00 a.m.

Exhibit Opening: "Fabric of a People" and "You Take It From Here"

To coincide with the annual observance of Black History Month, the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures will unveil new content in the African American Texans exhibit including the "Fabric of a People" quilt and the "You Take It From Here" oral history project.

UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures

Friday, February 17, 11:00 a.m.

Threading History: An Artist's Reflection on Textile Art with Taylor Barnes

Texan fiber artist Taylor Barnes will share her experiences: where she was introduced to the personal and oral histories that influenced her artistic practice, as well as the significance of quilting and textile art in Black American history. A Q&A session will follow.

Virtual event

Sunday, February 19, 11:00 a.m.

Quilt in a Jar Workshop

Presented by the African American Quilt Circle of San Antonio, attendees will learn basic sewing and quilting skills. RSVP required.

UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures

Tuesday, February 21, 12:00 p.m.

Pop Up Studio Hour with AAQCSA

Members of the African American Quilt Circle of San Antonio will be at the JPL to discuss their works in the new ITC exhibition "Fabric of a People." Chat about the heritage of African American story quilts or ask questions about quilting.

John Peace Library, GroupSpot B

Wednesday, February 22, 11:00 a.m.

The Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Career Collaborative Career Virtual Expo

UTSA and 13 of the leading Hispanic Serving Institutions will come together to provide students and alumni an opportunity to network and interview with more than 250 companies from around the country.

Handshake (Virtual Fair Platform)

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