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Zoe CourvilleZoe Courville studies snow and ice in the Arctic and Antarctica. She has a PhD in material science and works as a research mechanical engineer at the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab in Hanover, New Hampshire. During the summer of 2008, Zoe’s research took her to the top of the Greenland Ice Cap. From November 2008 through February 2009, she’s reporting from along a 1,865-mile (3,000 km) journey from the South Pole to Troll Station as part of the Norwegian–U.S. Scientific Traverse of East Antarctica. Zoe loves working in the polar regions and sharing her experiences with others.

Project Page: Into the Great White Open

All Posts By Zoe Courville


Meet the Summit Staff

SUMMIT CAMP, GREENLAND-- All of the science up at Summit Camp is made possible by a small group of amazing camp staff. From mechanics to… {Read More »}



Green, Electric Snowmobiles

SUMMIT CAMP, GREENLAND-- Transportation in areas where scientists are making precise atmospheric measurements is no small matter. Meet Dr. Ethan Brodsky from the University of Wisconsin, who advised a group of undergraduate students in the design and build of a quiet, non-polluting, powerful electric snowmobile... {Read More »}



Caught in the Storm

SUMMIT CAMP, GREENLAND-- For two days the other week, Summit experienced strong winds and blowing snow, making work, and even walking around camp, difficult. {Read More »}



Shoveling Snow

SUMMIT CAMP, GREENLAND-- The start of our research involves digging, and lots of it. Luckily we had some great weather, and a whole crew of motivated diggers... {Read More »}



The Balloon Launch

SUMMIT CAMP, GREENLAND-- Summit Science Techs Andy Clarke and Steve Munsell launch a balloon to measure ozone (and temperature and pressure) above camp. {Read More »}



End of the Pits

SUMMIT CAMP, GREENLAND-- On Friday, we finished up our big 3 meter pit. We had to dig out the last little bit of it, which Maria and Elyse were able to do by sawing out blocks and carrying them out of the pit. We’ve done density, air permeability... {Read More »}



Trolling for Tubes

SUMMIT CAMP, GREENLAND-- Today was one of those days that makes me feel so lucky to be up here at Summit Camp, working in the… {Read More »}



It’s the Pits

SUMMIT CAMP, GREENLAND-- We started the major task of our field season today: digging and sampling a three meter snow pit. This pit is located… {Read More »}



Meet an Atmospheric Chemist

SUMMIT CAMP, GREENLAND-- I caught up with Dr. Jack Dibb, a fixture at Summit Camp since its beginning in 1989. Jack is an atmospheric chemist... {Read More »}



Herc C-130 Flight to Greenland

SUMMIT CAMP, GREENLAND-- To get to Summit Camp, we fly with the 109th Air National Guard in a Hercules C-130 aircraft. It is definitely not your typical airline experience. {Read More »}