Glacial Environments

About this programme

The course focuses on glacial environments and the processes that shape them, with particular emphasis on the dynamics of glaciers and ice sheets, and methods for reconstructing past glacial landscapes and climate during the Quaternary period. Windtunnels form along the flanks of mountain summits that tower above the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. Photo credit: Arjen Stroeven Through the course, students gain insights into the physical processes operating in glacial environments, including glacier mass balance, ice dynamics, and glacial hydrology, as well as the formation and identification of glacial landforms and sediments. Field excursions, seminars, and laboratory sessions provide practical experience in sedimentological methods and landscape analysis, supporting the reconstruction of past ice sheet behavior and environmental conditions. The course emphasizes remote sensing and geomorphological mapping and completes with an individual paleoglaciological reconstruction project. This course is part of the Master's Programme in Polar Landscapes and Quaternary Climate , but may also be taken as a separate course. The course is structured around three modules: Module A – Glaciology, 5 credits Module B – Quaternary sedimentology, 5 credits Module C – Paleoglaciology, 5 credits The teaching is based on iLectures, lectures, practical’s, self-studies, seminars, excursion/fieldwork, laboratory analyses, and supervision of project, of which parts are taught through the web. Scheduled events are compulsory.