1. Glacial Geomorphology Spring, 2009 Prof. W. W. Locke 223/224 Traphagen wlocke@montana.eduwlocke@montana.edu; 994-6918 wlocke@montana.edu

2. So why study glacial geology? Uniformitarian Uniformitarian Variable Variable Local ̶› global Local ̶› global Applied physics Applied physics Modern analogs Modern analogs Processes Processes Modeling Modeling

3. Himalaya's Receding Glaciers Suffer Neglect (from the “Christian Science Monitor” 1/3/07) NEW DELHI - Billions of people in China and the Indian subcontinent rely on South Asia's Himalayan glaciers - the world's largest store of fresh water outside the polar ice caps. The massive ice floes feed seven of the world's greatest Asian rivers in one of the world's most densely populated regions. NEW DELHI - Billions of people in China and the Indian subcontinent rely on South Asia's Himalayan glaciers - the world's largest store of fresh water outside the polar ice caps. The massive ice floes feed seven of the world's greatest Asian rivers in one of the world's most densely populated regions. Yet as global climate change slowly melts glaciers from Africa to the Andes, scientists say the glaciers in the Himalayas are retreating at a rate of about 33 to 49 ft each year – faster than in any other part of the world. The Gangotri Glacier – one of India's largest, a mass of ice about 18 mi long – is retreating at a rate of more than 100 ft a year. Yet as global climate change slowly melts glaciers from Africa to the Andes, scientists say the glaciers in the Himalayas are retreating at a rate of about 33 to 49 ft each year – faster than in any other part of the world. The Gangotri Glacier – one of India's largest, a mass of ice about 18 mi long – is retreating at a rate of more than 100 ft a year.

4. An Intro to Glacial Geology Glacial Geology as a Science Glacial Geology as a Science Glaciology Glaciology The study of ice as a material The study of ice as a material Glacial Geology Glacial Geology The study of ice as an agent of change The study of ice as an agent of change Quaternary Geology Quaternary Geology The study of the last ~2 million years The study of the last ~2 million years

5. A History of Glacial Geology 1779 – H. B. de Saussure – erratic boulders 1779 – H. B. de Saussure – erratic boulders 1795 – J. Hutton – glacial erratics 1795 – J. Hutton – glacial erratics 1821 – I. Venetz-Sitten – former expanded ice 1821 – I. Venetz-Sitten – former expanded ice 1837 – L. Agassiz – “a great ice period” 1837 – L. Agassiz – “a great ice period” 1841 – C. Maclaren – eustatic sea level change 1841 – C. Maclaren – eustatic sea level change 1865 – T. F. Jamieson – isostatic deformation 1865 – T. F. Jamieson – isostatic deformation 1871 – G. K. Gilbert – ice sheet moraines 1871 – G. K. Gilbert – ice sheet moraines 1890 – G. K. Gilbert – pluvial lake Bonneville 1890 – G. K. Gilbert – pluvial lake Bonneville

6. Further Evolution of Glacial Theory 1932(65) – J H. Bretz – the Channeled Scablands 1932(65) – J H. Bretz – the Channeled Scablands 1947 (-57, -70) – R. F. Flint – Glacial Geology 1947 (-57, -70) – R. F. Flint – Glacial Geology 1952 – J. F. Nye – mechanics of glacier flow 1952 – J. F. Nye – mechanics of glacier flow 1968 – J. T. Andrews – postglacial uplift, Canada 1968 – J. T. Andrews – postglacial uplift, Canada 1968 – G. S. Boulton – deformation tills 1968 – G. S. Boulton – deformation tills 1969 – W. S. B. Paterson – The Physics of Glaciers 1969 – W. S. B. Paterson – The Physics of Glaciers 1981 – Denton & Hughes – The Last Great Ice Sheets 1981 – Denton & Hughes – The Last Great Ice Sheets

7. The Elements of Glaciology Glaciers as a system Glaciers as a system Energy budget (balance?) Energy budget (balance?) Mass budget (balance?) Mass budget (balance?) Glaciers as a material Glaciers as a material Glacier flow Glacier flow Albedo, etc. Albedo, etc. Glaciers as climate indicators Glaciers as climate indicators Snowlines Snowlines Glaciation threshold, firn line, ELA Glaciation threshold, firn line, ELA

8. The Elements of Glacial Geology Glacial Erosion Glacial Erosion Plucking, abrasion Plucking, abrasion Glacial Transport Glacial Transport Glacial Deposition Glacial Deposition Lodgment, melt-out Lodgment, melt-out Meltwater Meltwater Proglacial Geology Proglacial Geology Paraglacial Geology Paraglacial Geology

9. Elements of Quaternary Geology Quaternary Stratigraphy Quaternary Stratigraphy Glacial events Glacial events δ 18 O in ocean sediments δ 18 O in ocean sediments Pollen, foraminifera Pollen, foraminifera Ice core records Ice core records Fossil records… Fossil records… Quaternary climates Quaternary climates Glacier  climate feedbacks Glacier  climate feedbacks

10. Elements of This Course Readings Readings Class (Tu, Th) – Class (Tu, Th) – questions, discussion questions, discussion minimal lecture ? minimal lecture ? Lab (M) (30%) Lab (M) (30%) Hour Exam (15%) Hour Exam (15%) Student projects/presentations (15%) Student projects/presentations (15%) Final Exam (30%) Final Exam (30%) Field Trip Field Trip

11. What Will You Learn? Very little of applied value! Very little of applied value! Application of principles Application of principles Context for surficial studies Context for surficial studies “Natural Art Appreciation” “Natural Art Appreciation”

12. Resources Syllabus Syllabus Department Department Department Course Matrix Course Matrix Prof. Locke Prof. Locke Prof. Locke Prof. Locke Glacial Geology Glacial Geology Glacial Geology Glacial Geology PowerPoints PowerPoints From campus: in the MSU domain; \\opal\glacial From campus: in the MSU domain; \\opal\glacial \\opal\glacial Must be registered in the course Must be registered in the course From off-campus: set up VPN? From off-campus: set up VPN?