Unit information: Cryosphere 4 in 2012/13

Unit name	Cryosphere 4
Unit code	GEOGM1101
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Tony Payne
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	none
Co-requisites	none
School/department	School of Geographical Sciences
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This unit is divided into two components. The first is palaeoglaciology and glacial geomorphology. The focus of this component will be the glaciation of the British Isles, and it will be based around a field trip to Snowdonia to study the glacial landforms and deposits of the area. As preparation for the field work, there will be a number of seminars and practicals on glacial geomorphology, the British ice sheet and aerial photograph interpretation. The second component of the unit will be on modelling the dynamics of ice sheets. It will contain seminars devoted to the physics of ice flow, as well as contemporary change in Greenland and Antarctica. This component will also include computer practicals using ice flow models linking to both the present-day ice sheets and the Snowdon field work.

Aims: Develop an appreciation of the range of information available from the analysis of an area’s glacial geomorphology. Critically evaluate the role of dynamics in the response of ice sheets to contemporary climate change. Understand the use of mathematical models in simulating the dynamics of ice sheets.

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Ability to combine aerial photographs, maps, sediment analysis and field investigation to understand an area’s glacial history.
2. Ability to relate mathematical equations to the physics of ice flow and its impact of the dynamics of ice sheets.

The following transferable skills are developed in this Unit:

• Report writing
• Presentations skills
• Computer programming skills

Analysis and synthesis of data from a range of sources

Teaching Information

Palaeoglaciology:

Week 1: Indrouduction - Lecture - 1 hour

Week 1:Preparation for field trip - Seminar - 2 hours

Week 2: Field course to Snowdon - Field work - 2-3 days

Week 3: Aerial photography: Practical - 3 hours

Modelling the dynamics of ice sheets:

Week 5: Antarctica - Seminar - 2 hours

Week 6: Greenland - Seminar - 2 hours

Week 7: Ice streams - Lecture - 1 hour

Week 7: Ice stream modelling - Practical - 3 hours

Week 8: Support for modelling project - Seminar - 2 hours

Week 9: Support for modelling project - Seminar - 2 hours

Assessment Information

• 40% (10% each) from write up of each week's practicals
• 60% from write up of individual exercise

Reading and References

1. Paterson, W. S. B. (1999) Physics of Glaciers, Butterworth-Heinemann, 3rd edition, p496.
2. Lowe, J.J., and M. Walker (1997) Reconstructing Quaternary Environments, Prentice Hall, 2nd edition, p472.
3. Bamber, J.L., and A.J. Payne (2004) Mass Balance of the Cryosphere: Observations and Modelling of Contemporary and Future Changes, Cambridge, p662.
4. Payne, A.J., P. Sammonds, and J.C.R. Hunt (2006) “Evolution of the Antarctic ice sheet: new understanding and new challenges”, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A, 364, 1844.
5. Lemke, P., and others (2007) Changes in snow, ice and frozen ground, in Solomon, S., and others, Climate change 2007: the physical science basis, Cambridge University Press, 339-383.
6. Siegert, M.J. (2001) Ice Sheets and Late Quaternary Environmental Change, Wiley Blackwell, p248