Assistant Research Professor
Contact Information
Phone: (406)994-3338
Email: kaj.williams@montana.edu
Education
B.S. Excelsior College, (formerly USNY/Regents College)
M.A. Sociology, University of Nebraska – Omaha
M.A. Mathematics, University of Kansas
M.S. Astrophysical, Planetary and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Colorado – Boulder
PhD. Atmospheric Science, University of Colorado – Boulder
Research Interests
My research centers mainly on the interaction between planetary surfaces and atmospheres, where I typically use mathematical modeling along with principles of fluid dynamics, geology, physics, chemistry and meteorology. In particular, I study the thermodynamic stability of ice, snow and other volatiles. The ice and snow can either be directly exposed to the atmosphere, or the interaction can be mediated by other material (e.g. sublimation lags, permafrost active layers, etc.) This area of study involves ice and snow microphysics as well as boundary-layer meteorology. Thus far I have studied processes on Earth, Mars and Titan.
Other areas of research I’ve conducted include cratering rates on Callisto and the micrometeorology of ice caves on Earth and Mars.
Selected Publications
Williams, K. E., McKay, C. P. (2012) The role of latent-heat in maintaining ice caves in dry, temperate climates. Journal of Cave and Karst Studies (submitted manuscript).
J.L. Heldmann, W. Pollard, C.P. McKay, M.M. Marinova , A. Davila, K.E. Williams, D. Lacelle, D.T. Andersen. (2011) Comparison of Geomorphic Features Formed in the Presence of Ice-Cemented Soil in the Upper Dry Valleys, Antarctica with Observations at the Mars Phoenix Landing Site . Geophys. Res. Lett., (submitted manuscript).
Williams, K. E., McKay, C. P. and Persson, F. (2012) The surface energy balance at the Huygens Landing site and the moist surface conditions on Titan. Planetary and Space Science. Vol 60, nr. 1.
Heldmann, J. L., Marinova, M. M., Williams, K. E., Lacelle, D., McKay, C. P., Davila, A., Pollard, W. and D.T. Andersen (2011) Formation and Evolution of Buried Snowpack Deposits in Pearse Valley, Antarctica and Implications for Mars. Ant. Sci. (accepted manuscript)
Williams, K. E., Pappalardo, R. T. (2011) Variability in the Small Crater Population of Callisto. Icarus 215,1.
Williams, K.E., McKay, C. P., Toon, O.B., Head, J. W. (2010) Do Ice Caves Exist on Mars? Icarus 209,2.
Williams, K.E., Toon, O. B., Heldmann, J. L., Mellon, M. (2009) Ancient melting of mid-latitude snowpacks on Mars as a water source for gullies, Icarus, 200.
Williams, K.E., Toon, O.B., Heldmann, J.L. , McKay C.P. and Mellon, M. (2008) Stability of Mid-Latitude Snowpacks on Mars, Icarus, 196.
Williams, K. E., O. B. Toon, and J. Heldmann (2007), Modeling water ice lifetimes at recent Martian gully locations, Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, L09204, doi:10.1029/2007GL029507.
Lai, Y.C., Lerner, D, Williams, K and Crebogi, C. (Nov. 1999) Unstable dimension variability in coupled chaotic systems. Physical Review E 60 (5): 5445-5454 Part A.
