ARSF project IPY07/04: Investigation into the Processes Controlling Debris Flows in the Westfjords Region, Iceland. Led by Dr. John Murray, Dept. of Earth Science, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA.

Using the LiDAR instrument it was proposed that high resolution topographic data were collected on gullies on slopes in the Westfjords region of Iceland. This allowed for detailed comparison to be made between gullies in Iceland and those of a similar scale on Mars. The data collected from the LiDAR instrument was of a similar resolution to the best topographic data for Mars. The resulting high resolution data assisted in the determination of the active geological processes. The topographic dataset cannot be collected by ground surveying, as the slopes in this area are too hazardous, so this survey presented a unique opportunity study terrestrial debris flow gullies. The project contributed not only to the debate over the existence of water on the present-day Martian surface, but also to the analysis of risk posed by debris flows to the Westfjords inhabitants.