Module Identifier GG30320  
Module Title PROCESS GLACIOLOGY  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Dr Bryn P Hubbard  
Semester Semester 2  
Other staff Dr Simon J Cook, 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 . Transport costs to be £7.50 per student  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment 1 x seminar report (max. 2000 words)  30%
Semester Assessment 1 x fieldwork report (max. 2000 words)  30%
Semester Assessment 1 x seen extended essay from a choice of topics (max. 3000 words)  40%
Supplementary Assessment Students will be required to resubmit failed semester assignments  100%

Learning outcomes

on successful completion of this module students should be able to:






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:

Content

  1. Glacier structure and mass balance
  2. Seminar 1: Ice mass response to climate change - the IPCC Report
  3. Glacier motion 1: processes and patterns
  4. Glacier motion 2: fast ice flow
  5. Glacier motion 3: structural glaciology
  6. Glacier sediments: entrainment, transport and deposition
  7. Meltwater generation, transport and delivery
  8. Seminar 2: ice mass response to climate change - modelling
  9. Surge-type Glaciers
  10. Glacier hazards

The module will additionally involve two days of field projects:

Fieldwork 1. Snowdon: erosion and ice motion
Fieldwork 2. Tonfanall: sedimentary processes and products

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