| Module Identifier |
GG30320 |
| Module Title |
GLACIER DYNAMICS AND SEDIMENTATION |
| Academic Year |
2003/2004 |
| Co-ordinator |
Dr Bryn P Hubbard |
| Semester |
Semester 2 |
| Other staff |
Dr Bryn P Hubbard, Professor Michael J Hambrey |
| Course delivery |
Lecture | 16 Hours 8 x 2 hours |
| |
Seminars / Tutorials | 4 Hours 2 x 2 hours |
| |
Practical | 2 x 1 day fieldwork at weekend. Transport costs to be shared by students. |
| Assessment |
| Assessment Type | Assessment Length/Details | Proportion |
|---|
| Semester Assessment | Seminar Report maximum 2000 words plus figures | 30% |
| Semester Assessment | Fieldwork Report maximum 2000 words plus figures | 40% |
| Semester Assessment | Seen Extended Essay maximum 3000 words plus figures and references from a choice of topics | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Seminar Report | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Fieldwork Report | 40% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Seen Extended Essay. Students will be required to resubmit failed semester assignments | 30% |
|
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. appreciate the physical relationships between climate, glacier extent and the record of those glaciers in the Earth's sedimentary record;
2. describe and explain processes of glacier motion and the relationships between that motion and the form and character of glacigenic sediments;
3. view the functioning of glaciers as dynamic, hydrological, land-forming systems.
Content
1. The Earth's glacial sedimentary record
2. Seminar 1
3. Seminar 2
4. Glacier formation and mass balance
5. Glacier motion processes
6. Glacier deformation and structure
7. Meltwater generation, transport and delivery
8. Glacial sedimentary processes
9. Surge-type Glaciers I: processes
10. Surge-type Glaciers II: landforms
Aims
The module aims to provide a thorough training in the physical operation of glaciers and the interrelationships between that operation and processes of sediment entrainment, transport and deposition. Understanding the latter requires a keen knowledge of the Earth's glacial-sedimentary record. Much of the module will therefore be presented in relation to real world examples and the module will include a strong fieldwork component. Specific objectives of the course involve developing a firm understanding of:
-
relationships between the evidence for glaciation in the landscape record, glacier extent, climate and climate change
-
glacier motion and processes and routes of sediment incorporation, transport and deposition
-
the functioning of glaciers as dynamic hydrological systems with the capacity to deliver large quantities of waterborne sediments to surrounding environments
-
the techniques employed in glaciological and glacial-sedimentological investigations
Reading Lists
Books
** Recommended Text
Benn, D. and Evans, D (1998) Glaciers and Glaciation
Arnold
Bennett, M.R. and Glasser, N.F (1996) Glacial Geology: Ice Sheets and Landforms
Wiley
Paterson, W.S.B (1994) The Physics of Glaciers
3rd. Pergamon Press, Elsevier Science, Oxford
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6