AG-204
The Physical Geography of Svalbard (15 ECTS)

Prerequisite: 60 ECTS in natural sciences at university level, whereof 30 ECTS must be within earth sciences

Application deadline: 15. October 2011

Objective:
Glaciers cover about 60 percent of the area of Svalbard while the rest is underlain by continuous permafrost. In this geographical setting, the course introduces the most important meteorological, glaciological, geomorphological and hydrological processes on Svalbard.

Primary focus will be on an understanding of the linkages between climate, meteorology, geomorphology, hydrology, and ground and glacier ice thermal regimes in permafrost regions.

Content:
The climatic conditions on Svalbard, the energy exchange at the ground surface, the ground thermal regime and the availability of water will be emphasized as essential factors controlling the distribution of glaciers, permafrost and periglacial landforms. Glacier mass balance, thermal structure and geomorphic activity of Svalbard glaciers will be covered, with emphasis on the interaction between glaciers and permafrost.

There will also be a discussion of geomorphological processes such as glacial erosion, glacial deposition, frost weathering, mass movement, permafrost deformation, and frost heave and contraction in connection with freezing and thawing. Also hydrological processes such as snow cover formation and ablation, surface and subsurface drainage of water, river flow and sediment transport will be discussed.

Field methods, mapping techniques and methods of data interpretation (group work) will be introduced. The students will experience a variety of glaciological, geo-morphological and hydrological processes through field excursions.

Recommended in combination with: AG-209 Tectonic & Sedimentary History of Svalbard

	Period:	Spring semester 2012 (course start: 9 January 2012)
	Teaching:	45 hrs lectures, 35 hrs seminars/ group work with field exercises, 4 days field excursions (obligatory).
	Evaluation:	3 hrs exam (counts 60 % of grade) and semester project (40%).
	Course responsible:	Hanne H. Christiansen

Further information: