Crevasse evolution on glaciers observed from high-resolution DEMs

Project overview

Crevasses in glaciers and ice sheets are a key visible expression of ice dynamics, resulting from the extensional flow regime of glaciers. Structural controls on crevasse formation are subject to change during periods of high dynamic activity, such as during surge events (e.g. Hambrey et al. 2019) or following extended periods of ice flow acceleration (e.g. Colgen et al. 2011). However, observations of these changes, and thus the ability to incorporate crevasses into numerical models, have been limited by the logistical challenges of ground-based acquisition and the spatial resolution of remote sensing approaches. In recent years, the availability of the 2 m resolution ArcticDEM  (https://livingatlas2.arcgis.com/arcticdemexplorer/) has provided opportunities for comprehensive observation of time-evolving 3D topography in the Northern Hemisphere at metre-scale resolutions, allowing for the high-resolution mapping of crevasses on glaciers and ice sheets (Chudley et al. 2021).

This project aims to apply these crevasse-mapping techniques to understand where and how crevasses evolve on glaciers during periods of high dynamic activity occurring in the ArcticDEM record. Directed by their own research interests, the student could choose to map events such a surging, ice tongue collapse, or the accelerated retreat of marine-terminating outlet glaciers. Further tools in use within the research group will allow these changes to be compared to changes in ice velocity and strain rate, informing an understanding of the development and limits of crevasse formation.

Candidates possessing knowledge of glaciology and/or remote sensing and GIS are particularly welcome. Please contact the supervisors (below) if you are interested in this project and would like to discuss it further. Eligible applicants can apply to the Durham Inspired Climate Change and Polar Research Scholarship for funding support for this project

If you are interested in this project, please contact the lead supervisors:

Dr Tom Chudley            thomas.r.chudley@durham.ac.uk

Prof Chris Stokes          c.r.stokes@durham.ac.uk

Key references

Chudley, T. R., Christoffersen, P., Doyle, S. H., Dowling, T. P. F., Law, R., Schoonman, C. M., Bougamont, M. & Hubbard, B. (2021). Controls on water storage and drainage in crevasses on the Greenland ice sheet. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 126(9), e2021JF006287. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JF006287

Colgan, W., Steffen, K., McLamb, W. S., Abdalati, W., Rajaram, H., Motyka, R., Phillips, T. & Anderson, R. (2011). An increase in crevasse extent, West Greenland: Hydrologic implications. Geophysical Research Letters, 38(18). https://doi.org/10.1029/2011GL048491

Hambrey, M. J., & Clarke, G. K. (2019). Structural evolution during cyclic glacier surges: 1. Structural glaciology of Trapridge Glacier, Yukon, Canada. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 124(2), 464-494. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JF004869