Glacial GeomorphologyGlacial GeomorphologySpring, 2009Spring, 2009

Prof. W. W. LockeProf. W. W. Locke

223/224 Traphagen223/224 Traphagen

wlocke@montana.edu; 994-wlocke@montana.edu; 994-69186918

So why study glacial geology?So why study glacial geology?

UniformitarianUniformitarian VariableVariable Local .› globalLocal .› global Applied physicsApplied physics Modern analogsModern analogs ProcessesProcesses ModelingModeling

Himalaya's Receding Glaciers Suffer Himalaya's Receding Glaciers Suffer Neglect Neglect (from the “Christian Science Monitor” (from the “Christian Science Monitor”

1/3/07)1/3/07) NEW DELHI - Billions of people in China and the Indian NEW DELHI - Billions of people in China and the Indian

subcontinent rely on South Asia's Himalayan glaciers - subcontinent rely on South Asia's Himalayan glaciers - the world's largest store of fresh water outside the the world's largest store of fresh water outside the polar ice caps. The massive ice floes feed seven of the polar ice caps. The massive ice floes feed seven of the world's greatest Asian rivers in one of the world's most world's greatest Asian rivers in one of the world's most densely populated regions.densely populated regions.

Yet as global climate change slowly melts glaciers from Yet as global climate change slowly melts glaciers from Africa to the Andes, scientists say the glaciers in the Africa to the Andes, scientists say the glaciers in the Himalayas are retreating at a rate of about 33 to 49 ft Himalayas are retreating at a rate of about 33 to 49 ft each year – faster than in any other part of the world. each year – faster than in any other part of the world. The Gangotri Glacier – one of India's largest, a mass of The Gangotri Glacier – one of India's largest, a mass of ice about 18 mi long – is retreating at a rate of more ice about 18 mi long – is retreating at a rate of more than 100 ft a year. than 100 ft a year.

An Intro to Glacial GeologyAn Intro to Glacial Geology

Glacial Geology as a ScienceGlacial Geology as a Science GlaciologyGlaciology

The study of ice as a materialThe study of ice as a material Glacial GeologyGlacial Geology

The study of ice as an agent of changeThe study of ice as an agent of change Quaternary GeologyQuaternary Geology

The study of the last ~2 million yearsThe study of the last ~2 million years

A History of Glacial GeologyA History of Glacial Geology

1779 – H. B. de Saussure – 1779 – H. B. de Saussure – erraticerratic boulders boulders 1795 – J. Hutton – 1795 – J. Hutton – glacialglacial erratics erratics 1821 – I. Venetz-Sitten – former 1821 – I. Venetz-Sitten – former expanded iceexpanded ice 1837 – L. Agassiz – “a great ice period”1837 – L. Agassiz – “a great ice period” 1841 – C. Maclaren – eustatic 1841 – C. Maclaren – eustatic sea levelsea level

changechange 1865 – T. F. Jamieson – 1865 – T. F. Jamieson – isostaticisostatic deformation deformation 1871 – G. K. Gilbert – ice sheet 1871 – G. K. Gilbert – ice sheet morainesmoraines 1890 – G. K. Gilbert – 1890 – G. K. Gilbert – pluvialpluvial lake Bonneville lake Bonneville

Further Evolution of Glacial Further Evolution of Glacial TheoryTheory

1932(65) – J H. Bretz – the 1932(65) – J H. Bretz – the Channeled ScablandsChanneled Scablands 1947 (-57, -70) – R. F. Flint – 1947 (-57, -70) – R. F. Flint – Glacial GeologyGlacial Geology 1952 – J. F. Nye – 1952 – J. F. Nye – mechanicsmechanics of glacier flow of glacier flow 1968 – J. T. Andrews – postglacial uplift, Canada1968 – J. T. Andrews – postglacial uplift, Canada 1968 – G. S. Boulton – 1968 – G. S. Boulton – deformationdeformation tills tills 1969 – W. S. B. Paterson – 1969 – W. S. B. Paterson – The Physics of GlaciersThe Physics of Glaciers 1981 – Denton & Hughes – 1981 – Denton & Hughes – The Last Great Ice The Last Great Ice

SheetsSheets

The Elements of GlaciologyThe Elements of Glaciology

Glaciers as a Glaciers as a systemsystem Energy budget (balance?)Energy budget (balance?) Mass budget (balance?)Mass budget (balance?)

Glaciers as a Glaciers as a materialmaterial Glacier flowGlacier flow Albedo, Albedo, etc.etc.

Glaciers as Glaciers as climate indicatorsclimate indicators SnowlinesSnowlines

Glaciation threshold, firn line, ELAGlaciation threshold, firn line, ELA

The Elements of Glacial The Elements of Glacial GeologyGeology

Glacial ErosionGlacial Erosion Plucking, abrasionPlucking, abrasion

Glacial TransportGlacial Transport Glacial DepositionGlacial Deposition

Lodgment, melt-outLodgment, melt-out MeltwaterMeltwater Proglacial GeologyProglacial Geology Paraglacial GeologyParaglacial Geology

Elements of Quaternary Elements of Quaternary GeologyGeology

Quaternary StratigraphyQuaternary Stratigraphy Glacial eventsGlacial events δδ1818O in ocean sedimentsO in ocean sediments Pollen, foraminiferaPollen, foraminifera Ice core recordsIce core records Fossil records…Fossil records…

Quaternary climatesQuaternary climates Glacier Glacier climate feedbacks climate feedbacks

Elements of This CourseElements of This Course ReadingsReadings Class (Tu, Th) – Class (Tu, Th) –

questions, discussionquestions, discussion minimal lecture ?minimal lecture ?

Lab (M) (30%)Lab (M) (30%) Hour Exam (15%)Hour Exam (15%) Student projects/presentations Student projects/presentations

(15%)(15%) Final Exam (30%)Final Exam (30%) Field TripField Trip

What Will You Learn?What Will You Learn?

Very little of Very little of applied value!applied value!

Application of Application of principlesprinciples

Context for surficial Context for surficial studiesstudies

““Natural Art Natural Art Appreciation”Appreciation”

ResourcesResources SyllabusSyllabus

DepartmentDepartment Course MatrixCourse Matrix

Prof. LockeProf. Locke Glacial GeologyGlacial Geology

Glacial GeologyGlacial Geology PowerPointsPowerPoints

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