Glacial sedimentology associated subglacial hydrology

About the project

The subglacial hydrological system modulates ice dynamics and is a vital component in understanding how glaciers respond to climate change. Recent work has suggested that soft-bedded glacier (such as the unstable West Antarctic Ice streams) have a braided subglacial hydrology, whilst traditional models argue for a channelized hydrology.

The difference in hydrology is important as it is part of the understanding of the rate of glacier velocity and hence sea-level rise. If soft-bedded glaciers have a braided hydrology, what would this look like in terms of glacial sedimentology from both modern and Quaternary environments?

This project would investigate sites from Iceland and UK Quaternary sites to develop a model of subglacial braided system sedimentology. This model will be developed in Iceland and the UK using a variety of techniques These will be tested by using a variety of techniques including the use of ‘Planet Lab’ images and UAV survey to carry out offset (or intensity) tracking, a well-established method for deriving displacements from repeat imagery to calculate velocity, to map the glacial geomorphology, as well as sedimentological logging.

For full project details visit the Inspire project page .

Supervisors

• Professor Jane Hart (University of Southampton)
• Dr Gareth Roberts (University of Southampton)
• Dr Chris Lloyd (University of Southampton)

Lead supervisor

• Lead supervisor: Professor Jane Hart Professor of Geography

Professor Jane Hart

• Professor Jane Hart: Professor of Geography

Dr Gareth Roberts

• Development of methods for monitoring landscape fire activity using optical and thermal Earth Observation data and using these data to estimate fire emissions
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Entry requirements

A 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent , in any Earth or environmental science discipline.

Fees and funding

INSPIRE studentships are funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC, part of UK Research and Innovation, UKRI). The stipend is in line with UKRI standard levels, including the recent cost of living increase.

All studentships are fully funded for 3.5 years.

How to apply

To make an application, visit the how to apply section of the INSPIRE website .

Contact us

For questions about the project, contact Professor Jane Hart.

Email: J.K.Hart@soton.ac.uk

For questions about the application process, contact the graduate school office.

Email: gsnocs@soton.ac.uk

Research areas