For over a decade Ultima Thule Lodge has served as a base for scientists from all over the world who come to the Park to study glaciers, earthquakes, tsunamis, rare arctic tundra, etc... NASA and the NSF (National Science Foundation) rely on Paul and the Lodge resources for logistical support for their projects in this region. The man behind the majority of the research is Dr. Chris Larson, PhD - the guru of Glaciology in Alaska. Chris and Paul have logged hundreds of hours crisscrossing glaciers all over the state, compiling data on the effects of climate change in this sub-polar region.
This week we have scientists from the Fairbanks and Alaska Earthquake Center, using Ultima Thule as a base for checking earthquake monitoring equipment at sites scattered throughout the Wrangell-St Elias National Park and Preserve. This area is one of the most seismically active regions on earth and the data gathered here is essential to the research of seismologists world-wide. It goes without saying that all these sites are subject to extreme climatic conditions and can only be reached by bush plane or helicopter.
