Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1982. / Bibliography : leaves 128-143. Also available online.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Akron, Dept. of Geology, 2009. / "August, 2009." Title from electronic thesis title page (viewed 10/21/2009) Advisor, John P. Szabo; Faculty readers, Linda Barrett, LaVerne Friberg; Department Chair, John P. Szabo; Dean of the College, Chand Midha; Dean of the Graduate School, George R. Newkome. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Zürich. / One folded ill. and 1 folded col. map laid in. Includes bibliographical references (p. 232-244).

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2004. / Includes bibliography.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of St Andrews, November 2008.

A multi-disciplinary, high resolution, geophysical investigation of a Scottish Sea loch has facilitated both the reconstruction of a detailed late Quaternary para-stratigraphic model and the critical assessment of the acquisition and analytical methodologies most appropriate for the study of submerged palaeo-glaciomarine environments. Loch Ainort, situated on the eastern coast of the Isle of Skye, has been surveyed using a 192 kHz echosounder, a 400 kHz side scan sonar and a 3.5 kHz sub-bottom profiler. Lithological calibration was provided by the analysis of both in situ core data and extant terrestrial data sets. It is proposed that for the effective reconstruction of these and any other nearshore palaeo-environments a multi-disciplinary geophysical approach is essential. The critical control on success is the adherence, during interpretation, to a single unifying seismo-analytical framework. The seismo-stratigraphical analysis technique has been adapted for high- resolution work in order to provide this rigid framework. Objective descriptive analysis of the seismic traces provides a "seismic para-stratigraphy" which when combined with lithological data is used to construct a "composite para-stratigraphy". This is a process based, litho-stratigraphic interpretation that, by virtue of the detailed spatial extent afforded it by geophysical data, can be placed in a wider environmental context. The composite para-stratigraphy for the Loch Ainort basin is dominated by Loch Lomond Stadial glacial activity. Terminal and readvance limits are identified at several localities within the basin. Variable morphological styles of the glacial sequences show that deglaciation occurred in two distinct, climatically controlled, phases. The first marked by a fluctuating ice margin and the second by uninterrupted retreat and in situ ice stagnation. Sub-aerially induced debris flows occur during the initial paraglacial phase but stabilisation of exposed slopes restricts this input and rapid sedimentation of fines from sediment-rich meltwaters becomes dominant. Modern fjordic sedimentation develops after the disappearance of glacier ice.

Speleothems (cave calcite) provide many different proxy indicators for palaeoclimatic changes during the Quaternary era. Generally, the occurrence of growing speleothems is a strong proxy for global palaeoclimate, both geographically and through time. A database of speleothem U-Th ages shows some evidence for an early transition from the penultimate glacial to the last interglacial at -140 Ka BP. The database suggests an age of 63 Ka BP for the maximum cold period within isotope stage 4. Isotope stage 3 contains three periods of increased number of growing speleothems, at 40,50 and 56 Ka BP mainly in low latitude caves. The start of growth, growth rate, oxygen isotopes, carbon isotopes and luminescence intensity in two speleothems from southern Ireland provide high-resolution records of rapid palaeoclimate changes in that region during the Late Glacial. Several of these palaeoclimate proxies appear to be linked. The Younger Dryas (YO) cold event is dated at between 12.5 and 11.4 Ka BP in both speleothem records. The dominant agent of palaeoclimatic variation during the YD is probably changes in North Atlantic ocean circulation. A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet is developed as a means of rapidly converting between 14C and calendar years and vice versa.

Fluvial morphosedimentary records surrounding the Orjen massif, western Montenegro, have been studied to investigate the response of Mediterranean river systems to Pleistocene glaciation. A range of depositional contexts, across 12 sites, have been analysed, including: terraced alluvial valley fills, poljes and alluvial fans. These sites include both ice marginal contexts and more distal locations. It can be argued that these settings are broadly representative of the depositional environments found within glaciated upland catchments across the Mediterranean, and especially those in limestone landscapes. The timing of fluvial activity has been constrained using detailed stratigraphical analysis, 35 U-series dates, calcite micromorphology, and soil profile analysis. The fluvial record is fragmentary but is in good agreement with the Pleistocene glacial history of the Orjen massif, developed by Hughes et al. (2010).Two main phases of Pleistocene fluvial sedimentation have been identified in the morphosedimentary record. The most extensive phase of fluvial aggradation is correlated to MIS 12 (Kotorska-Sušica Member) and is characterised by the infilling of large depocentres beyond the maximum MIS 12 ice margins. These deposits dominate the fluvial record. The next recorded phase of fluvial deposition is correlated to MIS 6 (Krivošije Member) and contains only limited evidence of fluvial activity. No morphosedimentary evidence for fluvial deposition in MIS 5d-2 has yet been observed in the study area. An analysis of published studies shows that the Pleistocene glacial and fluvial archives are highly fragmentary across the Mediterranean basin. The limestone karst terrain of Mount Orjen has exerted an important influence on sediment delivery and the meltwater pathways draining the Orjen ice cap over successive glacial cycles. Evidence suggests that, since MIS 12, sediment supply to the fluvial system has declined in accord with the decreasing magnitude of glaciation and subterranean karst flows havebecome increasingly dominant over surface flows. As ice volume and extent decreased in the cold stages following MIS 12, the Pleistocene glacial and surface fluvial systems became progressively decoupled. Two types of surface meltwater routes operated during MIS 12: Type 1 – steep sided limestone bedrock gorges; and Type 2 - alluvial channels draining directly from the ice margin. These contrasting pathways are associated with distinctive sedimentological signatures both at the macro-scale and within the fine (<63µm) matrix fraction This study provides one of the first attempts to directly correlate Pleistocene glacial and fluvial records – and to consider the process interactions – in a range of depositional contexts at the landscape scale.

This thesis investigates the origin, sedimentological characteristics, and paleoglacial significance of large latero-frontal moraines and moraine-dammed glacial lakes and their potential to generate glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) events in the Cordillera Blanca, Perú and Iceland. This topic is particularly important as the potential for GLOF events in high altitude regions is increasing as ongoing global climate warming causes rapid glacier recession and the growth of lakes impounded by unstable moraines. The first chapter of this thesis introduces the characteristics of moraine dammed lakes and GLOFs and provides details of the study areas in Perú and Iceland that were selected for this work (Chapter 1). Chapter 2 investigates the glacial history of the Cordillera Blanca, Perú through the compilation, mapping, and analysis of dated moraines in the region. The formation of moraines by different glaciers in the same region at approximately the same time is interpreted to indicate a period of regional climate conditions that were favourable for glacier expansion and/or equilibrium. Six stages of glacial activity are identified from this analysis, ranging in age from older than 35 thousand years (Stage 1) to modern (Stage 6). The third chapter of this thesis identifies the geomorphic and sedimentologic characteristics of a moraine-dammed supraglacial lake (Llaca Lake) in the Cordillera Blanca, Perú. The combined use of imagery collected with an uncrewed-aerial vehicle (UAV), field sedimentological observations and geomorphological mapping allowed the creation of a landsystem model that summarizes the current geomorphic and sedimentologic environment of Llaca Lake (Chapter 3). This is the first study to describe the landform-sediment assemblages in a tropical moraine-dammed supraglacial lake and provides a framework for further landsystem analysis of growing supraglacial lakes that are at risk of GLOF events. The fourth chapter of this thesis describes the sedimentary architecture of the eastern lateral moraine of Gígjökull in southern Iceland. An uncrewed-aerial vehicle was used to acquire high resolution photographs of an exposure through the lateral moraine that allowed the identification of seven lithofacies types and three lithofacies associations. Documentation of the sedimentary architecture of the eastern lateral moraine of Gígjökull enhances understanding of moraine development and the identification of areas of hydrogeological weakness that can reduce the structural integrity of the moraine. The research findings presented in this thesis utilize a glacial sedimentological and geomorphological approach to investigating the relationship between current and past glacial processes in the study areas, and the role that these processes play in determining the characteristics and stability of large ice marginal moraines that impound glacial lakes. This work also furthers our understanding of the dynamic surface processes at work in high altitude regions such as the Cordillera Blanca. Identifying and determining the relationships between current and past processes, sediments and landforms will enhance understanding of the role of large moraines damming glacial lakes in other high-altitude regions such as the Himalayas, British Columbia, Patagonia, and New Zealand and the associated risk of GLOF events. / Thesis / Doctor of Science (PhD)

Botanical exploration in northern British Columbia has lagged behind that of adjacent Alaska and the Yukon Territories. This is particularly true of alpine and sub-alpine areas. For the most part, limited accessibility has restricted plant collecting to within a short distance of the few available roadways. During the course of the present study, botanical field work was conducted in an alpine, sub-alpine area in the Three Sisters Range of the Cassiar Mountains (northwestern British Columbia). Over 1000 vascular plant collections were idenified from the study area. A total of 239 Taxa were recognized representing 116 genera and 44 families. Taxonomic keys to the local flora and an annotated species list are provided. The annotated species list includes : habitat information for each taxon, a list of associated species and, where applicable, a discussion of noteworthy features of the taxon in question. Approximately 13% of the flora examined is listed as rare in British Columbia in Straley et al. (1985). Virtually all of northern British Columbia was overridden by the Cordilleran Ice Sheet during the last major Wisconsin advance (approximately 22,000-15,000 yrs. b.p.). Potential Refugia from which taxa now present in the study area may have migrated post-glacially are discussed. Worldwide distributions of each taxon were examined and seven phytogeographic elements are recognized in the flora. / Science, Faculty of / Botany, Department of / Graduate