Field Techniques in Glaciology and Glacial Geomorphology

Field Techniques in Glaciology and Glacial Geomorphology is the first text to provide this essential information in a single comprehensive volume. Coverage includes: The role of field data acquisition in the broader disciplines of glaciology and glacial geomorphology Logistical preparations for fieldwork Field techniques in glaciology such as investigations on ice and meltwaters Field techniques in glacial geomorphology ranging from investigations on glacial landforms and sediments International case studies show each method in practice

Preface ix Acknowledgements xi 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Aim 1 1.2 The scope of this book 1 1.3 Book format and content 2 1.4 The role of fieldwork in glaciology and glacial geomorphology 3 1.5 The relationship between field glaciology and glaciological theory 4 2 Planning and conducting glaciological fieldwork 15 2.1 Aim 15 2.2 Designing and planning field-based research 15 2.3 Logistical preparations for fieldwork 20 2.4 Fieldwork data 26 3 Glacier ice: Character, sampling and analysis 30 3.1 Aim 30 3.2 Ice masses and ice facies: Principles, definition and identification 30 3.3 Sampling glacier ice 38 3.4 Ice analysis 55 3.5 Student projects 63 4 Glacier meltwater: Character, sampling and analysis 65 4.1 Aim 65 4.2 Background 65 4.3 Measuring bulk meltwater discharge: Stage-discharge rating curves 68 4.4 Sampling and analysing glacial meltwaters 79 4.5 Automated measurements by sensors and loggers 96 4.6 Tracer investigations 101 4.7 Student projects 112 5 Hot-water borehole drilling and borehole instrumentation 115 5.1 Aim 115 5.2 Introduction 115 5.3 Hot-water drilling 116 5.4 Borehole instrumentation 124 5.5 Summary 146 5.6 Student projects 146 6 Ice radar 148 6.1 Aim 148 6.2 Background and physical principles 148 6.3 Ice radar equipment 155 6.4 Radar data presentation 159 6.5 Field radar surveys 161 6.6 Processing 171 6.7 Field application and interpretation of ice radar 174 6.8 Student projects 177 7 Glacier mass balance and motion 179 7.1 Aim 179 7.2 Surface energy budget 180 7.3 Mass balance 187 7.4 Glacier motion and ice velocity 199 7.5 Student projects 216 8 Glacigenic sediments 217 8.1 Aim 217 8.2 Introduction to field sedimentology 217 8.3 Colour and organic content 226 8.4 Sediment texture 229 8.5 Particle morphology: The shape and roundness of sedimentary particles 232 8.6 Bedding 239 8.7 Sedimentary structures 243 8.8 Palaeocurrent data 245 8.9 Other properties 246 8.10 Field sampling techniques 247 8.11 Fabric analysis: General considerations 251 8.12 Clast macrofabrics 252 8.13 Clast microfabrics and microstructural description 259 8.14 Clast mesofabrics 260 8.15 Laboratory analysis 260 8.16 Interpreting the environment of deposition of sediments 262 8.17 Presentation of sedimentological data 266 8.18 Student projects 267 9 Mapping glaciers and glacial landforms 269 9.1 Aim 269 9.2 General considerations 269 9.3 Aims of the mapping and the areal extent of the map 270 9.4 Desk-based studies 271 9.5 Remotely sensed data 274 9.6 Geomorphological mapping 287 9.7 Field mapping 290 9.8 Field surveying techniques 304 9.9 Ground-penetrating radar and shallow seismic reflection investigations of sediment bodies 308 9.10 Electrical resistivity surveys 311 9.11 Aquatic (marine and lacustrine) geophysical techniques 313 9.12 Mapping glacier structures (structural glaciology) 321 9.13 Final map compilation 325 9.14 Mapping and measurement of landforms change over time 327 9.15 Student projects 329 10 Monitoring and reconstructing glacier fluctuations 331 10.1 Aim 331 10.2 Remotely sensed images 332 10.3 Fieldwork mapping and historical documents 335 10.4 Dating glacier fluctuations using ‘absolute age’ (numerical-age) and ‘relative age’ estimates 339 10.5 Numerical-age dating techniques 340 10.6 Relative-age dating techniques 350 10.7 Dating glacier fluctuations – concluding remarks 364 10.8 Student projects 364 References 367 Index 396