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Research title Thickness constraints of the Patagonian Ice Sheet over the Quaternary using in-situ produced cosmogenic surface exposure dating. Summary of research To present only numerical models of the former Patagonian Ice Sheet surface elevation and thickness have been constructed with the northern and mid-Patagonian segments having been modeled in more detail. However critical empirical field based constraints on the vertical extent have not been established throughout the region and particularly for the southern sector. The aim of this research is to constrain the maximum thickness of the southern sector of the Patagonian Ice Sheet during/after the last glacial maximum (LGM) and by extension to former Quaternary (2.6 million years before present) glaciations in the region by using in-situ produced cosmogenic nuclides for surface exposure dating of erratic boulders and/or bedrock on high altitude summits. This is supplemented by glacial geomorphological mapping in Parque Nacional De Los Glaciares, southern Patagonia, Argentina. The quantitative input data supplied will provide the basis for modeling the former glaciological behavior of the southern Patagonian ice sheet. Moreover the empirically based modeling will resolve/answer some outstanding problems/questions with respect to glacier fluctuation through time as well as providing important insights into the palaeoclimatic conditions of southern South America over the Quaternary.
Research Interests Glacial geomorphology, In-situ produced cosmogenic nuclide dating (exposure/burial), reconstruction/modeling of former ice masses
Field Work Over the past 3 years I have been highly fortunate in being part of various field campaigns in present and formerly glaciated regions of the northern hemisphere. Whether it be in the Rodna Mountains, NW Carpathians, Romania, assisting a Glasgow University PhD candidate with sampling for cosmogenic surface exposure dating, in the proglacial area of Múllajökull, a piedmont surge-type outlet glacier in the remote central highlands of Iceland assisting an international research team and conducting my undergraduate dissertation work on a glaciotectonic push moraine or spending a substantial amount of time at Sólheimajökull an 8km long outlet tongue from the Mýdallsjökull ice cap, southern Iceland sticking my nose into sediments all these wonderful days with incredible people and spectacular views have contributed substantially towards my ever growing passion for getting into the field sooner than later.
Teaching Responsibility I am/have been involved in Level 1 & 2 physical/human Geography tutoring and lab demonstrating. I have assisted in the Glacial Environments option course field trip around Loch Lomond, Scotland and on the L2 physical geography field trip to Swansea, Wales.
Biography
2010-13 PhD | Glasgow University (GU)
2011-11 Cosmogenic Nuclide Laboratory Technician | GU
2006-10 M.A. in Geography (Honours of 1st class) | GU
2008-09 Erasmus Exchange | University of Iceland
Grants & Awards
2011 ESF-LFUI Grant | Cosmogenic Nuclides Conference, Austria (£650) COST ES0701 Travel Grant | Glacial Isostatic Adjustment Training School, Sweden (£260)
Research Grant | Carnegie Trust (£1000)
2010 3-yr PhD Scholarship at GU | Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland
Aberystwyth University Travel Grant | International Glaciological Society British Branch Conference, Aberystwyth (£120)
Royal Scottish Geographical Society University Medal | Best Geography Student at GU
Supervisors Dr Derek Fabel
Prof. Neil Glasser (Aberystwyth University) Recent publications Johnson, M.D., Schomacker, A., Benediktsson, Í.Ö., Geiger, A.J., Ferguson, A., Ingólfsson, O. (2010) Active drumlin field revealed at the margin of Múllajökull, Iceland: a surge-type glacier, Geology, Vol. 38, No. 10, pp. 943-946; doi:10.1130/G31371.1 >> |
