IAP2-23-014
Quantifying fluvial geomorphic change in response to changing glacier dynamics
Glacier retreat rates are accelerating across the globe due to an increase in global temperatures. As glaciers retreat, more sediment is being exposed, and released into proglacial environments. This, alongside an increase in precipitation and meltwater production, means that these already dynamic environments, will undergo rapid changes in fluvial geomorphology and sediment flux over relatively short periods of time (Heckmann et al. 2016). Glacially fed fluvial systems are globally important water reservoirs, are used for power generation, and are important conveyors of material to the world’s oceans with important biogeochemistry and ecosystem impact (Overeem et al., 2017). In addition, a significant proportion of the global population live on, or downstream of, glacially fed river systems. Despite their global significance, there have been only a handful of studies that quantify fluvial planform response to glacial dynamics. Of the documented examples (e.g., Washington USA (East et al., 2017) and Iceland (e.g. Marren 2014, Gawrysiak and Kociuba, 2020), it is clear that a fluvial geomorphic response is to be expected in such environments. However, due to the scarcity of documented examples, there is no real understanding as to how glaciers in different environments (e.g. high altitude mountainous glaciers and low altitude high latitude coastal glaciers) will respond to accelerated glacier retreat.
The aim of this study is to compare fluvial response to glacier dynamics in high latitude (e.g. marine connected glacial systems) and high altitude (mountain glaciers) environments to understand how variable fluvial geomorphic change is in different geomorphic settings. Potential case studies include Bhutan, Greenland, Canada and Iceland.
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Image Captions
Photo credit: Rachel Carr
Methodology
This project will use remote sensing methods to map and quantify fluvial geomorphic change over several time periods in 2 different geomorphic environments (coastal and mountainous glacial systems). High resolution satellite imagery will be analysed in Geographical spatial programmes including GIS and Google Earth Engine. A field campaign will take place to one study site (anticipated to be Iceland) to do high resolution mapping of fluvial geomorphic units and ground-truth satellite data/analysis.
Project Timeline
Year 1
Literature review (chapter 2), site selection, data source (satellite imagery) collation. System 1 – collection of available hydrological and climate data. Mapping of geomorphic units and glacier extent over multiple time periods.
Year 2
Data analysis of temporal changes in river and glacier environments for system 1. Presentation at local (UK) conference, writing of data chapter 3 (paper 1). System 2 – collection of available hydrological and climate data. Mapping of geomorphic units and glacier extent over multiple time periods.
Year 3
Data analysis of temporal changes in river and glacier environments for system 2. Presentation at international conference (e.g. EGU), writing of data chapter 4 (paper 2). Field campaign and analysis (anticipated to be Iceland). Writing of data chapter 3 (paper 3).
Year 3.5
Thesis completion (discussion chapter, conclusions), PhD examination.
Training
& Skills
Training & Skills
Student will receive training in glacial sedimentology, Geographical Information Systems and support to develop coding skills with application to cloud based repositories (e.g. Google Earth Engine) and GIS. Student will also receive support in writing and presenting scientific data and results. Opportunities for experience with teaching and outreach may be available.
References & further reading
• Carrivick, J.L., Heckmann, T., 2017. Short-term geomorphological evolution of proglacial systems. Geomorphology, Sediment cascades in cold climate geosystems 287, 3–28.
• East, A.E., Jenkins, K.J., Happe, P.J., Beechie, T.J., Mastin, M.C., Sankey., J.B., Randle., T.J. 2017. Channel-planform evolution in four rivers of Olympic National Park, Washington, U.S.A.: The roles of physical drivers and trophic cascades., Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 42.
• Gawrysiak, L, and Kociuba, W. 2020. Application of geomorphons for analysing changes in the morphology of a proglacial valley (case study: The Scott River, SW Svalbard). Geomorphology, 371.
• Heckmann, T., McColl, S., and Morche, D (2016) Retreating ice: Research in proglacial areas matters. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 41, 271-276.
• Marren, P.M., Toomath, S.C., 2014. Channel pattern of proglacial rivers: topographic forcing due to glacier retreat. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 39, 943–951.
• Overeem, I., Hudson, B.D., Syvitski, J.P.M., Mikkelsen, A.B., Hasholt, B., van den Broeke, M.R., Noël, .P.Y., Morlighem, M., 2017. Substantial export of suspended sediment to the global oceans from glacial erosion in Greenland. Nature Geosci 10, 859–863.
