| Module Identifier |
GG31830 |
| Module Title |
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF SVALBARD (UNIS) |
| Academic Year |
2006/2007 |
| Co-ordinator |
Professor Neil F Glasser |
| Semester |
Intended for use in future years |
| Next year offered |
N/A |
| Next semester offered |
N/A |
| Pre-Requisite |
GG23910 |
| Co-Requisite |
EA31030 , GG32230 , EA31930 |
| Course delivery |
Lecture | 45 Hours. |
| |
Seminars / Tutorials | 35 Hours. |
| |
Other | Field Work. 3 days |
| Assessment |
| Assessment Type | Assessment Length/Details | Proportion |
|---|
| Semester Assessment | 5 Hours In-Course Assessment: Written exercises | |
| Semester Assessment | Continuous Assessment: Field excursion report and term project report | |
| Supplementary Exam | Two-hour examination and 5,000 world report | |
|
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the following aspects of the physical geography of Svalbard:
-
The climatic conditions on Svalbard, the energy exchange at the ground surface, the ground thermal regime and the availability of water, in relation to geomorphological and glaciological processes.
-
Glacier mass balance, thermal structure and geomorphological activity of Svalbard glaciers.
-
The role of permafrost and frost weathering in the High Arctic environment.
-
Hydrological processes (snow melt, river flow and sediment transport) in the High Arctic environment.
Aims
This module is one of four suitable for students registered for BSc honours degrees in Environmental Earth Science and Geography, offered by UNIS in Svalbard. UNIS is a University on the High-Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, currently under Norwegion sovereignty. UNIS was established in 1993 by the four universities in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim and Tromso to offer university level courses and to perform research relevant to its High Arctic location. The intention is to provide level 3 students with the opportunity to undertake one semester of study overseas at UNIS within an international community of students and staff, in an exciting and challenging environment.
The High-Arctic archipelago of Svalbard is currently 60% glacier-covered and serves as a modern analogue for conditions in Britain during the Quaternary. This module outlines the most important meteorological, glaciological, geomorphological and hydrological processes on Svalbard. The primary focus will be on the inter-relationship between climate and earth-surface processes in the Arctic.
Content
The High-Arctic archipelago of Svalbard is currently 60% glacier-covered and serves as a modern analogue for conditions in Britain during the Quaternary. The module outlines the most important meteorological, glaciological, geomorphological and hydrological processes on Svalbard. The primary focus will be on the inter-relationship between climate and earth-surface processes in the Arctic.
Reading Lists
Books
** Recommended Text
Bennett, M.R. & Glasser, N.F. (1996) Glacial Geology
Wiley
French, H.M. (1996) The Periglacial Environment
2nd. Longman
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6