ARSF PROJECT IPY07/13: Characterisation of ice-marginal landscape change and proglacial fluvial response to rapid glacier retreat, Skeidararjokull, Iceland using airborne LiDAR. Led by: Dr. Andrew Russell, School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, Newcastle University, Daysh Building,
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU. Location: SE Iceland.

Our understanding of the relationship between glacier fluctuations and changes in the glacial and proglacial fluvial system is derived predominantly from the study of relatively small alpine glaciers or from interpretation of the landform and sedimentary record. Skeidararjkull is a large surge-type glacier which is subject to high magnitude glacier outburst floods (jkulhlaups). Due to its scale and complexity the Skeidararjull glacial system is considered a suitable analogue for lower latitude Quaternary ice-masses. This project aimed to characterise the rapidly evolving ice-marginal landscape of Skeidararjkull , Iceland. Acquisition of LiDAR-derived DEMs and aerial photo coverage of the ice-marginal zone of Skeidararjkull provided an essential benchmark data set, enabling rates of elevation change, landform development and sediment transfer to be quantified. Fieldwork-derived sedimentary data collected annually since 1996 at Skeidararjkull allowed better understanding of 1) the response of fluvial system to glacier retreat and 2) the role of glacier surges and jkulhlaups in creating distinctive landforms. This project provided a vital data set which can be used for hydraulic modelling of jkulhlaups allowing prediction of future flood paths and impacts.