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47 Years of large Antarctic calving events

In Antarctica, massive icebergs are a consequence of calving, where blocks of ice detach from the continent’s ice shelf. The calving of these massive icebergs is a rare occurrence with unpredictable variability, making it a difficult process to understand and statistically model. Here, we study calving using a statistical method called extreme value theory (EVT), […]

The timing, magnitude, and relative composition of extreme total water levels vary seasonally along the U.S. Atlantic coast

Quadrado, G., & Serafin, K. (2024). The timing, magnitude, and relative composition of extreme total water levels vary seasonally along the U.S. Atlantic coast. JGR Oceans, 136, 104482. ABSTRACT: This paper investigates when extreme total water levels (TWLs) occur during the year along the U.S. Atlantic coast and whether individual components, like waves, tides, and […]

Flood risk mitigation planning along urban rivers

Serafin, K. A., Koseff, J. R., Ouyang, D., & Suckale, J. (2024). Moving from total risk to community-based risk trajectories increases transparency and equity in flood risk mitigation planning along urban rivers. Environmental Research Letters, 19(6), DOI: 064039. DOI 10.1088/1748-9326/ad3c58. After several years of drought, 2023 and early 2024 are reminders of the powers of California’s atmospheric […]

Temporal compounding increases economic impacts of atmospheric rivers in California

SERAFIN – Temporal compounding increases economic impacts of atmospheric rivers in California Corinne Bowers, Jack W. Baker, Katherine A. Serafin Article first published online: 19 January 2024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2023EF003536 ABSTRACT: Temporally compounding atmospheric river (AR) events cause severe flooding and damage in California. However, the contribution of temporal compounding to AR-induced loss has yet to be […]

Atmospheric River Sequences as Indicators of Hydrologic Hazard in Historical Reanalysis and GFDL SPEAR Future Climate Projections

SERAFIN – Atmospheric River Sequences as Indicators of Hydrologic Hazard in Historical Reanalysis and GFDL SPEAR Future Climate Projections C. Bowers, K. A. Serafin, K.-C. Tseng, J. W. Baker Article first published online: 28 November 2023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2023EF003536 ABSTRACT: When multiple atmospheric rivers (ARs) occur in rapid succession, the combined effect on the hydrologic system […]

A spatio-temporal analysis of the role of climatic drivers influencing extreme precipitation events in a Costa Rican basin

HUGUENIN, SERAFIN, WAYLEN – A spatio-temporal analysis of the role of climatic drivers influencing extreme precipitation events in a Costa Rican basin Caroline Huguenin, Katherine Serafin, Peter Waylen Article first published online: 21 August 2023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wace.2023.100602 ABSTRACT: Regional patterns of rainfall are changing around the world, putting pressure on social, economic, and environmental systems, […]

A Hybrid Framework for Rapidly Locating Transition Zones: A Comparison of Event- and Response-Based Return Water Levels in the Suwannee River FL

TIMMERS, SERAFIN – A Hybrid Framework for Rapidly Locating Transition Zones: A Comparison of Event- and Response-Based Return Water Levels in the Suwannee River FL R. A. Jane, V. Malagón-Santos, M. M. Rashid, L. Doebele, T. Wahl, S. R. Timmers, K. A. Serafin, L. Schmied, C. Lindemer Article first published online: 15 November 2022 DOI: […]

Geography Colloquium: Flood risk transfer along the San Francisquito Creek, California

Speaker: Dr. Katy Serafin Assistant Professor Department of Geography University of Florida Thursday, October 20, 2022 4:00-4:50 PM (Period 9) Recorded for YouTube Turlington Hall 3018 and Zoom University of Florida Abstract: Communities across the nation are deciding how to best prepare for future flood events, while concurrently considering updates to aging infrastructure such as bridges. […]

Compound Flooding in a Subtropical Estuary Caused by Hurricane Irma 2017

SERAFIN – Compound Flooding in a Subtropical Estuary Caused by Hurricane Irma 2017 Braulio Juárez, Savanna A. Stockton, Katherine A. Serafin, Arnoldo Valle-Levinson Article first published online: 12 September 2022 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL099360 ABSTRACT: Hurricane Irma affected the Florida peninsula from 10 to 12 September 2017. The peninsula’s east coast was hit hardest: the city of Jacksonville […]

Focus Area 7: Geospatial Analysis & Techniques

Modeling, Measurement, Visualization and Computation: techniques for the collection, analysis, interpretation and display of geospatial data, using tools such as GeoAI, GIS, Remote Sensing, GPS, and Spatial Statistics. Sub Areas GEOAI: Geographic Artificial Intelligence Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Spatio-Temporal analysis Geospatial Modeling Remote Sensing Courses GIS 2002 The Digital Earth GIS 2114 The World &amp […]

Focus Area 6: Sustainability & Global Environmental Change

Major contemporary issues in global environmental change and sustainability are increasingly relevant for environmental management and development practice in both the developed and developing worlds. Global socio-ecological problems call for multidisciplinary solutions that transcend the usual boundaries of science and decision-making. Sub-areas Resilience Biodiversity Sea Level Rise Anthropocene Climate Change Human Impacts Urban Geography Natural Resources […]

Focus Area 5: Catastrophes, Conservation, and Conflict

Disastrous natural hazards, both fast and slow, and violent conflicts affect many people worldwide, often impacting already fragile environments and conservation areas. These crises have significant political, economic, and social implications that can reverse development gains, further entrench poverty and inequality, thereby increasing the risk for future crises. Sub-areas Outbreaks Extreme Events Natural Hazards Protected Areas Wildlife Economy Natural Resources Social Vulnerability Humanitarian […]

Focus Area 1: Earth System Science

This is the science of the atmosphere, land, biota, and water from a geospatial perspective. By combining contemporary issues such as climate change, environmental extremes, and hazards, this focus area emphasizes the integrative nature of physical and environmental geography.  Earth systems scientists use biophysical understanding to identify and solve problems for management and policy. Sub-areas […]

Celebrating Women Geographers for Women’s History Month

Geography is a diverse field. Throughout the month of March, we will be highlighting the work of Women Geographers, some of whom are #GeoGators. Tierney Shimansky Tierney is a Master’s student who studies land management and conservation in southern Africa. Dr. Yin-Hsuen Chen Yin-Hsuen is a fluvial geomorphologist and Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of […]

Strong GeoGator showing at FSG

There will be a strong GeoGator presence at the 57th Annual Meeting of the Florida Society of Geographers this Saturday the 20th of February. Whether you want to learn about risk perceptions, coastal flooding, land use change, rural violence, riparian erosion and siltation, extreme rainfall,  disease transmission, or park conservation, we’ve got you covered! Physical Geography (Moderator […]

IDS2935 Living with Rising Seas

IDS2935 Living with Rising Seas How much will sea level rise? What will be impacted by sea level rise? How will humanity adapt to sea level rise? This course examines the complex relationship between humans and coastlines. We will connect the science of sea level rise and coastal change to built, natural, and societal impacts. […]

When floods hit the road: Resilience to flood-related traffic disruption in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond

SERAFIN – When floods hit the road: Resilience to flood-related traffic disruption in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond Indraneel G. Kasmalkar, Katherine A. Serafin, Yufei Miao, Avery Bick, Leonard Ortolano, Derek Ouyang, and Jenny Suckale Article first published online: 5 AUG 2020 Science Advances DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aba2423 ABSTRACT: As sea level rises, urban traffic […]

GEO4285 GEO6938: Models in Geographic Hydrology (Water, Risk, and Extreme Events)

Investigate techniques for evaluating the risks of extreme events related to water in our environment. Students will learn about data and methodologies for estimating the rarity of phenomena including excessive rainfall totals, high and low river levels, coastal storm surge and waves, and drought. Example Topics: Probability and Random Processes Recurrence Intervals Extreme Value Analysis […]

GeoGator Class of 2020 Commencement

The Department of Geography Commencement for the GeoGator Class of 2020 was held online for the very first time on the 2nd of May, 2020. Watch the whole ceremony here! https://youtu.be/Z5_jfndqzrg Excerpts Dr. Jane Southworth addresses GeoGator Class of 2020 Dunkle Award Winner Sara Shir addresses GeoGator Class of 2020 Dr. Jason Blackburn addresses GeoGator Class […]

GeoGators give two public talks today!

Compound Flood Risk in a Changing Climate Water, Wetlands, and Watersheds Seminar at the UF Howard T. Odum Center for Wetlands Dr. Katy Serafin will talk about compound drivers of flooding along both open coasts and coastal rivers in a changing climate. 11:45am, Phelps 101, UF campus Can’t make it? Watch the video! https://cfw.essie.ufl.edu/seminars/ Is […]