Geomorphological evidence of cold-based glacier activity in
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TitleGeomorphological evidence of cold-based glacier activity in South Victoria Land, AntarcticaAbstractCold-based glaciers have long been recognized as capable of covering and protecting landscapes. However, recent studies of modern cold-based glaciers in Antarctica show that, in some situations, erosion, deformation and deposition can occur. Recognizing the dual ability of cold-based glaciers to protect and preserve surfaces on the one hand and erode and modify on the other is important for correctly interpreting the often-subtle imprint of cold-based glaciers on landscapes. A range of geomorphological features related to cold-based glacier activity has now been documented along with an improved understanding of cold-based glacier structure, processes and interaction with various substrates. Collectively, this provides an enhanced ability to understand the impact of cold-based glaciers on landscapes and reappraise the geomorphological record. Such insight allows recognition of previously unknown glacial events and better interpretations of the landscape exposure record. This is particularly important at the margins of the Antarctic Ice Sheets, where past fluctuations in ice sheet volume and its contributions to post glacial sea-level rise are poorly constrained. This paper reviews the known geomorphological evidence associated with cold-based glaciers in the South Victoria Land region of the Transantarctic Mountains. It aims to provide progress towards a set of criteria for recognizing cold-based glacier activity in other regions and to highlight the implications of cold-based glacial activity for surface exposure studies and interpreting glacial history. Copyright The Geological Society of London 2013.AcknowledgementsFieldwork in the Britannia Range area was carried out in association with K. Joy and B. Storey `Dynamics of the Darwin-Hatherton Glacial system Ì(K056), Gateway Antarctica, University of Canterbury and Antarctica New Zealand. Fieldwork in the Pearse Valley was carried out in conjunction with W. Dickinson (K047), Antarctic Research Centre, Victoria University of Wellington and Antarctica New Zealand. I thank Martyn Tranter and Michael Hambrey for helpful editorial assistance. Constructive reviews by Peter Nienow and Sean Fitzsimons helped strengthen this paper significantly.
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1st AuthorAtkins, C.AuthorAtkins, C.Year2013JournalGeological Society Special PublicationVolume381Number1Pages299-318DOI10.1144/SP381.18Keywordsdeformationdepositiongeomorphologyglacial erosionglacierice sheetglacial environmentglacial historyglacial landformglacier dynamicslandscape structuresubstrate, AntarcticaEast AntarcticaTransantarctic MountainsVictoria Land, rank5
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TypeArticleCitationAtkins, C. (2013). Geomorphological evidence of cold-based glacier activity in South Victoria Land, Antarctica. Geological Society Special Publication, 381(1): 299-318 IdentifierAtkins2013Relevancerank5
Atkins, C., Geomorphological evidence of cold-based glacier activity in , [Atkins2013]. Antarctica NZ, accessed 13/07/2025, https://adam.antarcticanz.govt.nz/nodes/view/63377, 10.1144/SP381.18