The Impact of Mountain Tourism on Water In Khumbu, Nepal​
​Genevieve Dean – Undergraduate - UNR

​The southern portion of Mt. Everest, in the Khumbu region of Nepal, encompasses the most popular route to reach the summit. Over the last half-century, mountain tourism to the area has skyrocketed, with upwards of 55,000 tourists recorded in 2024. The consequences associated with this high volume of visitors are evident in water degradation, including fecal contamination and the entry of PFAS into local water sources. Fecal contamination from inadequate disposal of waste and PFAS leaching from mountaineering supplies serve as an indicator for the effects of tourism. Additionally, practices of commodifying the region's water through the sale of water in the form of bottled water, tea, and showers are a byproduct of the competition in the tourist industry, which places a high value on these amenities being readily available. Using secondary sources to analyze water degradation and understand the process of water commodification over the past few decades, I describe the relationships between water use and tourism. This can be useful for prospective visitors to quantify their impact on water when mountaineering. Governments, communities, and individual actors may also be interested in information on the direct and indirect influences that tourist activities have on water. This may contribute to making future plans that protect the quality of water and thus the people in the region.

How does Declining Sea Ice in the Arctic Ocean Affect Oil Prospecting in the Region?
Christopher Martinez – Undergraduate - NSU

 The arctic ocean is the white cap located on the top of the northern hemisphere of earth. Housing the second biggest collection of sea ice behind Antarctica, Sea ice being frozen ocean water that forms and melts in the ocean. The sea ice that makes this region up has projected to decrease significantly by mid century contributing to rising sea levels, creating unpredictably in the weather and increased economic activity leading to possible disasters. With the arctic ocean housing 13% of the earth's undiscovered conventional oil and with oil being a crucial resource how will the declining sea ice in the region increase oil prospecting. Along with looking at current emergency response plans by arctic circle bordering countries. 

Unstable Ice: How Permafrost Thaw, Hydrological Connectivity, and Drainage from Thermokarst Lakes Impact Arctic Ecosystems
Matt Naples – Undergraduate - UNR​

​Thermokarst lakes or ponds, formed by the thawing of ice-rich permafrost in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, can significantly impact local hydrology, biology, and even the carbon cycle. Especially recently, climate change continues to increasingly affect these lakes and their landscapes in terms of drainage, shoreline erosion, fen vegetation growth, and the role of wildlife because climate conditions, such as air temperature and snow depth, control permafrost degradation. When enhanced hydrological connectivity is present, thermokarst lakes and ponds accelerate the drainage trend seen. These events can cause permanent shifts in local ecosystems and can release carbon in the form of methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to global greenhouse gas emissions. Recent studies from two thermokarst lake areas, Davvavuopmi, a permafrost peatland in Northern Sweden, and Schaeffer Lake in Northwestern Alaska, have shown documented drainage events triggered from rapid permafrost thaw. However, because both examples differ in timing, geomorphic settings, and subsequent ecological impacts, comparing the two cases and examining how hydrological connectivity influences drainage events can provide an understanding into the causes and impacts. 

Rising Above Rising Waters: Geology, Climate, and Flood Resilience in the Philippines
Jasmine Rockwell – Undergraduate - NSU​​

Flooding is one of the most destructive and frequent hazards in the Philippines, driven by an interaction of natural forces, such as typhoons, monsoon rains, and storm surges, as well as human decisions shaped by urbanization, poverty, and governance. This paper examines how the combined effects of geological conditions and social vulnerabilities create uneven flood risks across regions like Metro Manila, Marinduque, and northern Luzon. Typhoon-induced floods differ from monsoon-related flooding in their intensity and impact, often producing compound hazards involving extreme rainfall, rapid runoff, and coastal storm surges. Vulnerability is intensified by deltaic subsidence, poor watershed management, and inadequate infrastructure, while social drivers, such as informal housing, limited relocation options, and strong place attachment Using insights from Dulawan et al. (2024) on household persistence in flood zones and Rivera & Dela Vega (2025) on systemic resilience strategies, this study analyzes recent events including the 2025 Luzon-wide floods to propose a more integrated flood risk framework. Geospatial tools, AI-based hazard mapping, and blue-green infrastructure are discussed as part of a holistic strategy that blends engineering, ecological, and community-based approaches to reduce vulnerability and build long-term resilience in flood-prone regions.