Dr Marie Busfield

PhD Earth Sciences (Royal Holloway, University of London)MGeol Geology (University of Leicester)

Module Coordinator

• AB2 Life on Earth (GS10720)
• AB1 Geoscience for a Sustainable World (GS22620)
• AB2 Advanced Fieldwork Skills (GS35320)

Tutor

• AB1 An introduction to Earth Materials (GS12520)

Grader

• AB1 Dissertation: Geography, Environmental Science, and Environmental Earth Science (GS34040)
• AB2 Environmental Earth Science Level 3 Fieldwork (GS35320)
• AB1 Traethawd Estynedig Daearyddiaeth (DA34040)

Lecturer

• AB1 Dissertation: Geography, Environmental Science, and Environmental Earth Science (GS34040)
• AB1 Dylunio Ymchwil a Sgiliau Gwaith Maes (DA25420)
• AB2 Environmental Earth Science Level 3 Fieldwork (GS35320)
• AB1 Research Design and Fieldwork Skills (GS20020)

My research uses detailed macro- and micro-scale sedimentology, geological and geomorphological mapping, and glacial sequence stratigraphy to understand the dynamic behaviour, scale and glacier thermal regime of ancient and modern ice masses. My work is predominantly field-based, involving extensive field seasons in Namibia, South Australia, the European Alps and the western US. Current research interests span several key strands: 1) Debris-covered glaciers and high mountain landscape evolution, including assessing the evolution of, and links between, slope and glacier surface debris, glacier structure, and foreland geomorphology; 2) Geomorphology under ice streams, with current projects focussed on Ordovician (~443 Ma) and Late Palaeozoic (~300 Ma) subglacial bedforms in South Africa which offer valuable analogues for modern environments that remain largely inaccessible beneath today’s ice masses; 3) Extreme cold climates, including interrogating Cryogenian ‘Snowball Earth’ glaciation in the western US and analysis of the world’s oldest glacial deposits (~2.2-2.4 Ga) in South Africa; and 4) Geoheritage, geotourism, and widening participation to celebrate and promote sustainable use of sites of geomorphological and geological interest for education, conservation, and tourism.

• Centre for Glaciology