Supervisors

Professor Tavi Murray
Dr John Hiemstra
Dr Anna Hughes

Project and aims

The marine-terminating outlet glaciers of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS), which account for over half of total ablation of the ice sheet, are presently changing speed, thinning and retreating at historically unprecedented rates. Longer-term records of tidewater glacier retreat are essential to assess the significance of the changes of the last decade in terms of ice sheet dynamics, and are critical for improving and testing the predictive ability of numerical models.

The glacial history of south-east (SE) Greenland since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) is only broadly constrained. Existing work has focused on determining the maximum extent of ice at the LGM and examining small ice caps and glaciers not connected to the main ice sheet, rather than the dynamics of individual tidewater glaciers emanating from the GrIS. However, terrestrial cosmogenic isotope dating has proved an effective technique for establishing a chronology of margin fluctuations where material for radiocarbon dating is sparse, investigating the distribution of cold- and warm-based ice, and has been successfully applied in SE, south-west, east and north-east Greenland settings.

This studentship aims to investigate the response of two Greenlandic outlet glaciers since the LGM by reconstructing the pattern, and establishing a chronology, of retreat for two of the largest outlet glaciers of the SE GrIS (Helheim and Kangerdlugssuaq Glaciers). This will be achieved by field mapping of glacial geomorphology and sediments and trimline mapping using Schmidt hammer and lichenometry techniques from sites spanning the lengths of the deglaciated fjords and tributaries. Specific field locations will be identified by regional-scale mapping using satellite imagery and aerial photos already held at Swansea University. Available bathymetric datasets will be sought to investigate changes in basal topography of the former glaciers. Samples for terrestrial cosmogenic isotope dating will be collected from both fjords. The project will provide a greatly enhanced understanding of the response of Greenlandic outlet glaciers to the climatic changes since the LGM and will make use of the logistics already in place for the GLIMPSE project (www.greenlandice.org).

The student will gain experience of terrestrial Arctic fieldwork, in addition to an insight into the collection of oceanographic data. The student will be supervised by Prof Tavi Murray (t.murray@swansea.ac.uk), Dr John Hiemstra (j.hiemstra@swansea.ac.uk) and Dr Anna Hughes (a.hughes@swansea.ac.uk) at Swansea University.

Applicant requirements

The Glaciology Group at Swansea University is of an enviable size (five permanent academic staff, six postdoctoral researchers, and approximately nine postgraduate students), providing a supportive environment for young researchers with many opportunities for exchange and discussion of ideas in addition to exposure to a wide range of research topics and methods. Furthermore, research training and opportunities to gain a range of transferable skills are provided for all postgraduate students at Group, School and University levels. The student will be expected to present their research national and international conferences as appropriate, thus gaining valuable feedback and further critical input to their research and provide networking opportunities. Postgraduate students are encouraged to participate in relevant additional training, such as the Glaciology Course run by UNIS in Svalbard http://tiny.cc/ffKG9. The studentship would ideally suit a student with a background in geography/geology, a strong interest in glacial geology and Quaternary climatic change.

Funding

This project is eligible for competitive funding through NERC studentships awarded to the Department.  Other funding opportuniies are available and self-funded students are always welcome.  Contact your potential supervisor for advice and details of how to apply.  The closing date for applications to NERC studentships is 19 March 2010.

Rock sampling for cosmogenic isotope dating at the head of Sermilik Fjord, SE Greenland, July 2009.  The GrIS is in the far distance.

Access to field locations will be gained using local boat.