Staffordshire University logo
STORE - Staffordshire Online Repository

Icelandic jökulhlaup impacts: Implications for ice-sheet hydrology, sediment transfer and geomorphology

Roberts, Matthew J., Russell, Andrew, Fay, Helen, Marren, Philip M., Cassidy, Nigel, J, TWEED, Fiona and HARRIS, Tim (2006) Icelandic jökulhlaup impacts: Implications for ice-sheet hydrology, sediment transfer and geomorphology. Geomorphology, 75 (1-2). pp. 33-64. ISSN 0169555X

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract or description

Glaciers and ice sheets erode, entrain, and deposit massive quantities of debris. Fluxes of subglacial meltwater exert a fundamental control on ice dynamics and sediment transport budgets. Within many glacial systems outburst floods (jökulhlaups) constitute high magnitude, high frequency fluxes of meltwater relative to normal ablation controlled discharge. This paper presents a synthesis of research on recent Icelandic jökulhlaups and their geomorphological and sedimentary impact. We identify jökulhlaup impacts within subglacial, englacial and proglacial settings and discuss their wider significance for ice sheet hydrology, sediment transfer and geomorphology. Because jökulhlaups erode, deposit, and re-work sediment simultaneously, they usually cause significant glaciological and sedimentological impacts. Jökulhlaups that propagate as subglacial flood waves often produce widespread hydromechanical disruption at the glacier base. Recent Icelandic jökulhlaups have been recognised as highly efficient agents of reworking subglacial sediment and glacial sediment entrainment. Models of jökulhlaup impact, therefore, need to encompass the sub- and englacial environment in addition to the proglacial zone where research has traditionally been focussed. Most jökulhlaups transport sediment to proglacial sandar, and often directly to oceans where preservation potential of the impact is greater. Proglacial jökulhlaup deposits form distinctive sedimentary assemblages, coupled with suites of high-energy erosional landforms. This study of modern jökulhlaup processes and sedimentary products may be useful for the interpretation of meltwater processes associated with Quaternary ice sheets.
Keywords

Jökulhlaups;
Ice sheets;
Subglacial erosion;
Englacial and Subglacial deposition;
Sediment transfer;
Proglacial;
Outwash;
Iceland

Item Type: Article
Faculty: Previous Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Sciences > Sciences
Depositing User: Fiona TWEED
Date Deposited: 11 Nov 2013 11:56
Last Modified: 24 Feb 2023 13:40
URI: https://eprints.staffs.ac.uk/id/eprint/1732

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

DisabledGo Staffordshire University is a recognised   Investor in People. Sustain Staffs
Legal | Freedom of Information | Site Map | Job Vacancies
Staffordshire University, College Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST4 2DE t: +44 (0)1782 294000