Papers by Jonathan Carrivick
Glacifluvial landforms of deposition
Elsevier eBooks, 2022
BioScience, Feb 1, 2017
The Kangerlussuaq area of southwest Greenland encompasses diverse ecological, geomorphic, and cli... more The Kangerlussuaq area of southwest Greenland encompasses diverse ecological, geomorphic, and climate gradients that function over a range of spatial and temporal scales. Ecosystems range from the microbial communities on the ice sheet and moisture-stressed terrestrial vegetation (and their associated herbivores) to freshwater and oligosaline lakes. These ecosystems are linked by a dynamic glacio-fluvial-aeolian geomorphic system that transports water, geological material, organic carbon and nutrients from the glacier surface to adjacent terrestrial and aquatic systems. This paraglacial system is now subject to substantial change because of rapid regional warming since 2000. Here, we describe changes in the eco-and geomorphic systems at a range of timescales and explore rapid future change in the links that integrate these systems. We highlight the importance of cross-system subsidies at the landscape scale and, importantly, how these might change in the near future as the Arctic is expected to continue to warm.
Glacier retreat reorganizes river habitats leaving refugia for Alpine invertebrate biodiversity poorly protected
Nature Ecology and Evolution, May 4, 2023
Geomorphology, Oct 1, 2019
Quaternary glaciations have created impressive landform assemblages that can be used to understan... more Quaternary glaciations have created impressive landform assemblages that can be used to understand palaeoglacier extent, character and behaviour, and hence past global and local glacier forcings. However, in the southern hemisphere and especially in New Zealand, the Quaternary glacial landform record is relatively poorly investigated with regard to glaciological properties. In this study, a 1 m digital elevation model (DEM) was generated from airborne LiDAR data and supplemented with aerial imagery and field observations to analyse the exceptionally well-preserved glacial geomorphology surrounding Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. We describe a rich suite of Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and recessional ice-marginal, subglacial, supraglacial, glaciofluvial and glaciolacustrine landform assemblages. These represent two landsystems comprising i) fluted till surfaces with low-relief push moraine ridges; and ii) crevasse-squeeze ridges, 'zig-zag' eskers and attenuated lineations. The former landsystem records the behaviour of an active temperate glacier and the latter landsystem, which is superimposed upon and inset within the former, strongly suggests intermittent surge phases. The two landsystem signatures indicate a sequential change in ice-marginal dynamics during recession that was likely to have been partially non-climatically driven. Overall, we present the first evidence of surge-type glacier behaviour in New Zealand.
A reconstruction of Jostedalsbreen during the Little Ice Age and geometric changes to outlet glaciers since then
Quaternary Science Reviews, May 1, 2022
Corrigendum: Terrestrial laser scanning to deliver high-resolution topography of the upper Tarfala valley, arctic Sweden
Carrivick, J.L., Smith, M.W. & Carrivick, D.M. (2015) Terrestrial laser scanning to deliver h... more Carrivick, J.L., Smith, M.W. & Carrivick, D.M. (2015) Terrestrial laser scanning to deliver high-resolution topography of the upper Tarfala valley, arctic Sweden, GFF doi: 10.1080/11035897.2015.1037569 When the above article was first published online, the hyperlink to the research data was incorrect. The correction has now been made to this article
Many surge-type glaciers remain unrecognised because surge events can be short-lived and are rare... more Many surge-type glaciers remain unrecognised because surge events can be short-lived and are rarely captured by satellite or field data. This study reports the first documented surge of Kverkjökull, central Iceland, adding a relatively short, narrow, steep and alpine outlet glacier from the Vatnajökull ice cap to the surge-type glaciers in Iceland. The surge occurred after decades of persistent and recently accelerated terminus retreat. The surge initiated after 2008 and immediately preceded drainage of the Gengissig geothermal lake and a jökulhlaup in 2013. The surge was still in progress in 2013. It caused vertical surface displacements of up to 20 m that were most prominent in parts of the glacier >100 m thick. The magnitude of surface elevation changes, terminus advance and ice surface velocity changes probably reflect a single surge phase. Asymmetry in the response of the glacier terminus to the surge front suggests interaction with near-stagnant ice in a part of the glacier terminus but otherwise the trigger and mechanism of the Kverkjökull surge remain unexplained.
Developing Structure from Motion in the Geosciences
Corrigendum to: “A reconstruction of Jostedalsbreen during the Little Ice Age and geometric changes to outlet glaciers since then” [Quat. Sci. Revs. 284 (2022) 107501]
Quaternary Science Reviews, Sep 1, 2022
Recent changes in drainage route and outburst magnitude of Russell Glacier ice-dammed lake, West Greenland
. Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) or ‘jökulhlaups’ from ice-dammed lakes are frequent in Gre... more . Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) or ‘jökulhlaups’ from ice-dammed lakes are frequent in Greenland and can influence local ice dynamics, bedrock displacement, geomorphological changes and flooding hazards. Multidecadal time series of lake drainage dates, drainage volumes and flood outlets are rare but essential for understanding the impact on and interaction with the surroundings, identifying drainage mechanisms, and for mitigating downstream flood effects. In this study, we use ultra-high-resolution structure-from-motion (SfM) digital elevation models (DEM) and orthophotos from unmanned aerial vehicle field surveys in combination with optical satellite imagery to reconstruct robust lake volume changes associated with 14 GLOFs between 2007 and 2021 at Russell Glacier, West Greenland. This makes it, one of the most comprehensive and longest records of ice-dammed lake drainages in Greenland. We find a mean difference of 10 % between the lake drainage volumes compared with estimates derived from a gauged hydrograph 27 km downstream. Due to ice dam thinning, the potential maximum drainage volume in 2021 is c. 60 % smaller than that estimated to have drained in 2007. Our time series reveals variations in the drainage dates ranging from late May to mid-September and moreover that drained volumes range between 0.9–37.7 M m3. We attribute these fluctuations between short periods of relatively high and low drainage volumes to a weakening of the ice dam and an incomplete sealing of the englacial tunnel following the large GLOFs. The syphoning drainage mechanism is triggered by a reduction in englacial meltwater, likely driven by late seasonal drainages and sudden temperature reductions, as well as annual variations in the glacial drainage system. Furthermore, we provide geomorphological evidence of an additional drainage route first observed following the 2021 GLOF with a sub- or englacial and supraglacial water flow across the ice margin. It seems probable that the new drainage route will become dominant in the future which will drive changes in the downstream geomorphology and raise the risk of flooding-related hazards as the existing buffering outlet lakes will be bypassed.
EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, Apr 1, 2018
EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, Apr 1, 2009
The Place of Structure from Motion
The mass balance of the majority of Himalayan glaciers is currently negative, and has been for se... more The mass balance of the majority of Himalayan glaciers is currently negative, and has been for several decades. Region wide averaging of mass change estimates has masked any catchment or glacier scale 10 variability in glacier recession, thus the role of a number of glaciological processes in glacier wastage remains poorly understood. In this study, we quantify surface lowering and mass loss rates for the ablation areas of 32 glaciers in different catchments across the Everest region, and specifically examine the role of glacial lakes in glacier mass change. We then assess how future ice loss is likely to differ depending on glacier hypsometry. Spatially variable ice loss is observed within and between the Dudh Koshi and Tama Koshi catchments and 15 glaciers that flow onto the Tibetan Plateau. Surface lowering rates on glaciers flowing onto the Tibetan Plateau are 54 % and 19 % greater than those flowing southward into the Dudh Koshi and Tama Koshi catchments, respectively. Surface lowering rates of up to-3.78 ± 0.26 m a-1 occurred on some lacustrine terminating glaciers, although glaciers with small lakes showed rates of lowering comparable with those that terminate on land. We suggest that such a range reflects glacial lakes at different stages of development, and that rates of 20 mass loss are likely to increase as glacial lakes expand and deep water calving begins to occur. Hypsometric data reveal a coincidence of the altitude of maximum surface lowering and the main glacier hypsometry in the Dudh Koshi catchment, thus a large volume of ice is readily available for melt. Should predicted CMIP5 RCP 4.5 scenario warming (0.9-2.3 o C by 2100) occur in the study area, 19-30, 17-50 and 14-37 % increases in the total glacierised area below the Equilibrium Line Altitude will occur in the Dudh Koshi and Tama Koshi 25 catchments, and on the Tibetan Plateau. Comparison of our data with a conceptual model of Himalayan glacier shrinkage confirms the presence of three distinct process regimes, with all glaciers in our sample now in a state of accelerating mass loss and meltwater storage.
Introduction to Structure from Motion in the Geosciences
John Wiley & Sons, Ltd eBooks, Jul 18, 2016
Geophysical Research Letters, Jun 15, 2022
The future evolution of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) is of global concern because its meltwater... more The future evolution of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) is of global concern because its meltwater runoff will contribute tens to hundreds of millimeters of sea level rise through the next century (
Quaternary Science Reviews, Jun 1, 2019
Proglacial lakes can affect the stability of mountain glaciers and can partly disengage glacier b... more Proglacial lakes can affect the stability of mountain glaciers and can partly disengage glacier behaviour from climatic perturbations. However, their role in controlling the onset and progression of deglaciation from the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) remains poorly understood. This lack of understanding is partly because the evidence required to consistently and robustly identify the location and evolution of icecontact lakes is not standardised. In this paper we therefore firstly present a new set of criteria for identifying the landform and sedimentary evidence that defines and characterises ice-marginal lakes. Secondly, we then apply these key criteria with the aid of high-resolution topographic mapping to produce the first holistic definition and assessment of major proglacial lake landforms and sediments pertaining to the end of the LGM across South Island, New Zealand. The major findings of this assessment can be grouped to include that: (i) The localised constraints to proglacial lake extent were topography, glacier size and meltwater/sediment fluxes, (ii) Lake damming was initiated by outwash fan-heads that interrupted water and sediment flows down-valley, and (iii) New Zealand LGM lakes were unequivocally in contact with a calving ice margin. These findings will be useful for reconstructing ice dynamics and landscape evolution in this region.
Computers & Geosciences, Jul 1, 2016
Ice thickness distribution and volume are both key parameters for glaciological and hydrological ... more Ice thickness distribution and volume are both key parameters for glaciological and hydrological applications. This study presents VOLTA (Volume and Topography Automation), which is a Python script tool for ArcGIS TM that requires just a digital elevation model (DEM) and glacier outline(s) to model distributed ice thickness, volume and bed topography. Ice thickness is initially estimated at points along an automatically generated centreline network based on the perfect-plasticity rheology assumption, taking into account a valley side drag component of the force balance equation. Distributed ice thickness is subsequently interpolated using a glaciologically correct algorithm. For five glaciers with independent field-measured bed topography, VOLTA modelled volumes were between 26.5 % (underestimate) and 16.6 % (overestimate) of that derived from field observations. Greatest differences were where an asymmetric valley cross section shape was present or where significant valley infill had occurred. Compared with other methods of modelling ice thickness and volume, key advantages of VOLTA are: a fully automated approach and a user friendly graphical user interface (GUI), GIS consistent geometry, fully automated centreline generation, inclusion of a side drag component in the force balance equation, estimation of glacier basal shear stress for each individual glacier, fully distributed ice thickness output and the ability to process multiple glaciers rapidly. VOLTA is capable of regional scale ice volume assessment, which is a key parameter for exploring glacier response to climate change. VOLTA also permits subtraction of modelled ice thickness from the input surface elevation to produce an ice-free DEM, which is a key input for reconstruction of former glaciers. VOLTA could assist with prediction of future glacier geometry changes and hence in projection of future meltwater fluxes.
Glacial lake outburst floods threaten Asia’s infrastructure
Science Bulletin, May 1, 2023
Cooling glaciers in a warming climate since the Little Ice Age at Qaanaaq, northwest Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland)
Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, Jun 6, 2023
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Papers by Jonathan Carrivick