The current state of the science on debris-covered glaciers in high mountain environments such as high Asia and the Andes.

Exploring the current state of the science on debris-covered glaciers in high mountain environments such as high Asia and the Andes.

Changes to the state of debris-covered glaciers pose a hazard to nearby communities, with rapidly-growing, moraine-dammed lakes a particular threat. Organized by the Geological Society of London, UK, this workshop will allow scientists and practitioners to explore the current state of the science on debris-covered glaciers in high mountain environments such as high Asia and the Andes. Through a series of talks and working groups, the workshop will facilitate the standardization of methodology and develop recommendations for future work that can be transferred to local institutions.

Participants will collaborate on developing workshop material for future capacity building training packages as well as on the effective deployment of the growing earth science social media presence of High Mountain based communities and organizations. The workshop is closely aligned with the aims of the GAPHAZ working group of the International Association of Cryospheric Sciences (IACS) and the International Permafrost Association (IPA), and the newly formed IACS group on debris-covered glaciers.

The workshop will feature two days for working groups to share the latest methodological advances and to develop strategies and key aims for future research. The working group topics will be decided based on participant expertise, but may include glacier processes and change; glacier-related hazards; and socio-economic impacts of glacial-lake outbust floods (GLOFs).

Specific outcomes will include: (i) publishing results of the meeting on an open access website (e.g. GAPHAZ, IACS), and promoting the existence of these findings via social media avenues (ii) development of collaborative research projects – both active collaborative analysis and formal proposals seeking new funding (iii) action plans for local community engagement.

Convenors

• Dr Adina Racoviteanu, Aberystwyth University, lead convener
• Dr Neil Glasser- Aberystwyth University
• Dr Lindsey Nicholson, University of Innsbruck

Organising Committee/Facilitators

• Dr Duncan Quincey, University of LeedsDr Scott Watson, University of Arizona
• Dr Evan Miles, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSLDr Tobias Bolch, University of St Andrews

Speakers

Confirmed speakers include:

• Dr Tobias Bolch – Mapping, Area Change and Mass Balance of Debris-covered Glaciers from Space
• Prof. John Reynolds – Glacier lakes hazard ranking schemes
• Dr Matt Westoby – Modelling GLOFs
• Dr Duncan Quincey – GAPHAZ working group
• Dr Scott Watson – ‘Walk and talk’ conference in Nepal, supra-glacier lakes and ice cliffs
• Dr Jonathan Carrivick – processes related to GLOFs
• Dr Evan Miles – ice cliffs and supra-glacial lakes

Reduced Registration Rate

The event offers a reduced registration rate of £70 for attendees from developing countries as defined by the World Bank. To request this rate, please contact Katherina.Steinmetz@geolsoc.org.uk

Registration includes tea & coffee during breaks, but does not include lunch.

View the full programme and find out more on the Geological Society website. 

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