| Module Identifier |
GG30320 |
| Module Title |
PROCESS GLACIOLOGY |
| Academic Year |
2004/2005 |
| Co-ordinator |
Dr Bryn P Hubbard |
| Semester |
Semester 2 |
| Other staff |
Professor Michael J Hambrey, Dr Poul Christoffersen |
| 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 successful completion of this module students should be able to:
CHARACTERISE AND DESCRIBE THE PHYSICAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN CLIMATE CHANGE AND ICE-MASS RESPONSE.
CHARACTERISE PROCESSES OF GLACIER MOTION AND THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THAT MOTION AND (A) THE STRUCTURAL FORM OF ICE MASSES, AND (B) THE TRANSPORT AND DELIVERY OF SEDIMENTS BY ICE MASSES.
CONCEPTUALISE AND ILLUSTRATE THE FUNCTIONING OF GLACIERS AS HYDROLOGICAL SYSTEMS, ABLE TO STORE AND RELEASE WATER INTO THEIR SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENTS.
DESCRIBE AND ILLUSTRATE THE OPERATION OF ICE MASSES AS HAZARDS IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD.
APPRECIATE THE RELATIVE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE TECHNIQUES EMPLOYED IN GLACIOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS, AND TO EVALUATE CRITICALLY AND TO SYNTHESIZE CONTEMPORARY GLACIOLOGICAL RESEARCH.
Aims
The module aims to provide a thorough training in the physical processes that govern ice mass behaviour, including response to climate change, motion, hydrology and sedimentation. Much of the module will be guided by contemporary research examples and the module will include a strong fieldwork component. To achieve this aim, students will acquire a firm training in analysing and representing:
-
relationships between ice masses and climate.
-
glacier motion processes and processes of sediment incorporation, transport and deposition.
-
the functioning of glaciers as hydrological systems.
-
the techniques employed in glaciological and glacial-sedimentological investigations.
Content
Lecture 1. Glacier formation and mass balance (BH)
Lecture 2. Seminar 1: Ice mass response to climate change - the IPCC Report (PC)
Lecture 3. Glacier motion: processes (BH)
Lecture 4. Glacier motion: structure (MH)
Lecture 5. Seminar 2: ice mass response to climate change - modelling (PC)
Lecture 6. Meltwater generation, transport and delivery (BH)
Lecture 7. Glacier sediments: entrainment (PC)
Lecture 8. Glacier sediments: transport and delivery (MH)
Lecture 9. Surge-type Glaciers (BH)
Lecture 10. Glacier hazards (MH)
The module will additionally involve two days field work that will take the form of separate excursions in North Wales, one to Snowdonia (BH) and the other to Tonfanau (MH).
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