The DANGER of Math | Polar Science

With 17 trips (and counting) to Earth’s polar regions spanning his mathematical career, mathematician Ken Golden of the University of Utah has been studying sea ice structure and behavior for over 20 years.

It turns out that sea ice is teaming with promises of mathematical discoveries that could, in turn, drive our understanding in other areas, such as climate science, marine biology, or the study of composite materials. Our bones, for instance, or materials invisible to radar detection, are composite materials, just like sea ice. And the mathematics of how water moves up and down the sea ice could help us understand how the little critters living inside tiny brine pockets in the ice, may tie in with the larger marine ecosystem.

Sounds exciting. But working on the ice is also fraught with danger.

Who knew math research could be so thrilling?