Chapter 6
Geomorphology applied to glacial regions
1. Introduction
Applied problems in glacial areas derive, on the one hand, from the activity of the actual
ice masses and, on the other hand, from the characteristics of the materials deposited by
the glaciers and meltwaters in past periods. Some of the functional processes that develop
from ice accumulations result in different geomorphic processes that will be analysed
below. From another point of view, these areas produce a number of benefits to human
communities. Those derived from tourism, such as landscape observation, skiing, trekking,
climbing, and other sports have undergone a considerable increase in the last few decades.
Summer ice melt in mountain areas leads to the exploitation of the water falling in order to
produce hydroelectric power. In addition, glacial melt water is a very important source for
irrigation in large arid zones of the world, such as the Thar Desert in northwest India,
irrigated by the Indira Gandhi and Great Bhakra Canals, the Peruvian-Chilean littoral
desert, and the areas of Mendoza and San Juan at the foot of the Argentinean Precordilleran Andes. All the discharges for these irrigation systems come from snow and ice
melt in the neighbouring mountain ranges.
Other important resources derive from the exploitation of the groundwater contained in
the Quaternary deposits of glacial origin. Thus, in North America, a large part of domestic
and industrial water is taken from fluvioglacial aquifers (Thornbury, 1954). One of the
most outstanding features of these accumulations is the variability in grain size and depth,
and consequently the different layers show different transmissivity, permeability and
storage capacity values (Derbyshire and Love, 1986). Till is a poor aquifer due to its clay
content, whereas gravel and sand deposits are excellent groundwater reservoirs (Lloyd,
1983) (Figure 6.1). The common lateral variations in the characteristics of these sediments
cause the occurrence of barriers for water flow, and they impede detailed knowledge of
the aquifer. In some cases, the presence of preglacial valleys buried and fossilized by these
sediments can result in areas of great water storage. For this reason, a precise knowledge
of the geomorphological history of any such region is necessary.
2. Hazards caused by the activity of ice masses
2.1. Icebergs
Icebergs are a consequence of the breaking of ice masses, especially ice sheets where
they arrive at the ocean (Figure 6.2). They are a risk for shipping and also for the oil drilling
platforms. This latter circumstance has encouraged studies on the forecasting of iceberg
Geomorphology applied to glacial regions
1. Introduction
Applied problems in glacial areas derive, on the one hand, from the activity of the actual
ice masses and, on the other hand, from the characteristics of the materials deposited by
the glaciers and meltwaters in past periods. Some of the functional processes that develop
from ice accumulations result in different geomorphic processes that will be analysed
below. From another point of view, these areas produce a number of benefits to human
communities. Those derived from tourism, such as landscape observation, skiing, trekking,
climbing, and other sports have undergone a considerable increase in the last few decades.
Summer ice melt in mountain areas leads to the exploitation of the water falling in order to
produce hydroelectric power. In addition, glacial melt water is a very important source for
irrigation in large arid zones of the world, such as the Thar Desert in northwest India,
irrigated by the Indira Gandhi and Great Bhakra Canals, the Peruvian-Chilean littoral
desert, and the areas of Mendoza and San Juan at the foot of the Argentinean Precordilleran Andes. All the discharges for these irrigation systems come from snow and ice
melt in the neighbouring mountain ranges.
Other important resources derive from the exploitation of the groundwater contained in
the Quaternary deposits of glacial origin. Thus, in North America, a large part of domestic
and industrial water is taken from fluvioglacial aquifers (Thornbury, 1954). One of the
most outstanding features of these accumulations is the variability in grain size and depth,
and consequently the different layers show different transmissivity, permeability and
storage capacity values (Derbyshire and Love, 1986). Till is a poor aquifer due to its clay
content, whereas gravel and sand deposits are excellent groundwater reservoirs (Lloyd,
1983) (Figure 6.1). The common lateral variations in the characteristics of these sediments
cause the occurrence of barriers for water flow, and they impede detailed knowledge of
the aquifer. In some cases, the presence of preglacial valleys buried and fossilized by these
sediments can result in areas of great water storage. For this reason, a precise knowledge
of the geomorphological history of any such region is necessary.
2. Hazards caused by the activity of ice masses
2.1. Icebergs
Icebergs are a consequence of the breaking of ice masses, especially ice sheets where
they arrive at the ocean (Figure 6.2). They are a risk for shipping and also for the oil drilling
platforms. This latter circumstance has encouraged studies on the forecasting of iceberg