GEOL489-12S1 (C) Semester One 2012
Glacial Geology and Geomorphology

Description

This course introduces students to modern glacial geomorphology, glacial chronology (focus on the Holocene) and the underlying glaciological basics. The course is a mix of practical field work/excursion and theoretical/seminar work. The core of this course is 4 day of fieldwork around Mt Cook, introductory/ supportive lectures and seminars with active input of the participants.

During the field course, the participants are introduced to relative age-dating techniques, geomorphological mapping and landform description, glacial sedimentological techniques etc. (programme subject to change due to weather conditions). During the seminar sessions, aerial photograph Interpretation of glaciated terrain and processing of the obtained sedimentological and chronological field data will be exercised. The introductory lectures to glacial geomorphology, glaciology, and Quaternary (mainly Holocene) stratigraphy and guided reading should give a good basis for related seminar presentations and reports of the participants.

Learning Outcomes

The course will enable the students to assess and utilize modern and past glacial environments in both, geomorphological and chronological/palaeoclimatological context. During the field trip, practical skill regarding several field techniques as well as the ability to detect and interpret glacial landforms will be improved. Supportive seminar enable the student the analyse obtained field data and place it into a more general context. This, alongside with the individual task to prepare an oral presentation and written report to a given subject out of the course's general context provides the students with the opportunity to work self-responsible in a scientific way. The Latter mentioned is an important skill not restricted or specifically related to the actual course but all future academic or economic business activities.  

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:
• Evaluate und utilize existing glacial evidence in chronological and geomorphological context
• Apply several age-dating techniques and evaluate existing literature sources
• Understand the basic principles of glacial processes, landforms and sediments
• Apply aerial photo interpretation for reconnaissance and mapping purposes
•Critically assess the use of glaciers as climate indicators and interpret existing Late Glacial and Holocene glacier chronologies
• Prepare individually and present a conference-style seminar on a relevant topic
• Prepare and write self-responsibly a scientific report based on this topic.

Pre-requisites

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Additional Course Outline Information

Academic integrity

Schedule:

Week Subject
1  24.02 - 2 h Introductory session, practical information for field work
2  02.03 - 05.03 - 4 days Mt. Cook Field Trip
3  09.03 No session
4  16.03 - 2 hrs Sediment and geochronological data analysis
5  23.03 - 2 hrs Aerial photo interpretation and mapping
6  30.03 - 2 hrs Presenting skills session, introductory lecture

7  27.04 No session
8  04.05 - 2 hrs Lecture and literature session
9  11.05 - 2 hrs Lecture and literature session
10  18.05 - 2 hrs Lecture and literature session
10  19.05 - 8 hrs Seminar (student presentations) - whole day
11  25.05 - 2 hrs Lecture and literature session
12  01.06 - 2 hrs Lecture and literature session


IMPORTANT NOTE:

All dates and subjects are subject to change due to force majeure (e.g. weather conditions for field trip, central timetabling).

The proposed room for the regular sessions will be room 315 (von Haast), for the weekend seminar room 210 (von Haast).

For further information see Geological Sciences.