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Investigation of a one-of-a-kind, long-term sediment discharge dataset from Fieschergletscher, Switzerland
Glacier erosion is key in the development of mountain landscapes such as the Alps. The eroded bedrock is transported from underneath the glacier by meltwater. This study looks at the sediment evacuation rates from Fieschergletscher and how they evolve as the glacier retreats.
Glacier erosion is one of the strongest controls on mountain landscapes.
This erosion has important implications not only for landscape evolution, but also impacts sediment supply to river systems and catchments.
As the climate warms, glacier erosion will evolve.
However, it remains uncertain whether or not the glacier retreat will result in an increase or decrease in sediment transport and over which timescales these changes may occur.
These uncertainties are worth understanding given that in Switzerland changes to glacier erosion impacts downstream ecology and infrastructure, including hydropower operations.
We are searching for a Master student to examine a unique dataset of sediment discharge that has been collected from the Fieschergletscher catchment in Wallis.
While most datasets of sediment discharge span only a year or two, this dataset spans 10 years from 2011 until now.
This makes the timeseries very unique, spanning a periods of time over which the glacier has changed substantially.
In analyzing this dataset, we hope that changes and variability in sediment transport and erosion can be identified.
The Master student will use this dataset to better understand and quantify the relationship between glacier erosion, sediment transport, glacier retreat, and glacier dynamics.
Glacier erosion is one of the strongest controls on mountain landscapes. This erosion has important implications not only for landscape evolution, but also impacts sediment supply to river systems and catchments. As the climate warms, glacier erosion will evolve. However, it remains uncertain whether or not the glacier retreat will result in an increase or decrease in sediment transport and over which timescales these changes may occur. These uncertainties are worth understanding given that in Switzerland changes to glacier erosion impacts downstream ecology and infrastructure, including hydropower operations.
We are searching for a Master student to examine a unique dataset of sediment discharge that has been collected from the Fieschergletscher catchment in Wallis. While most datasets of sediment discharge span only a year or two, this dataset spans 10 years from 2011 until now. This makes the timeseries very unique, spanning a periods of time over which the glacier has changed substantially. In analyzing this dataset, we hope that changes and variability in sediment transport and erosion can be identified. The Master student will use this dataset to better understand and quantify the relationship between glacier erosion, sediment transport, glacier retreat, and glacier dynamics.
The project will consist of two components:
1. using concurrent datasets to evaluate processes that may impact sediment discharge from
the glacier, these include, glacier melt, velocity, retreat rate and topography
2. implement a numerical model of subglacial erosion and sediment transport in an iterative
manner to understand potential drivers of sediment discharge by comparing model output
to data.
Other aspects of the project may also include: 1. conducting fieldwork and developing methods
to understand the contribution of the proglacial forefield in controlling sediment discharge, and
2. using the model to forecast sediment discharge until the end of the century.
With regard to the first component of the project, existing datasets or satellite imagery will be
leveraged. For the project’s second part, the numerical model has largely been developed, and
the supervisors will assist with the model’s implementation. We anticipate that the components
together could be adequate for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, with the Master student
being either a lead or contributing author.
The project will consist of two components: 1. using concurrent datasets to evaluate processes that may impact sediment discharge from the glacier, these include, glacier melt, velocity, retreat rate and topography 2. implement a numerical model of subglacial erosion and sediment transport in an iterative manner to understand potential drivers of sediment discharge by comparing model output to data. Other aspects of the project may also include: 1. conducting fieldwork and developing methods to understand the contribution of the proglacial forefield in controlling sediment discharge, and 2. using the model to forecast sediment discharge until the end of the century. With regard to the first component of the project, existing datasets or satellite imagery will be leveraged. For the project’s second part, the numerical model has largely been developed, and the supervisors will assist with the model’s implementation. We anticipate that the components together could be adequate for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, with the Master student being either a lead or contributing author.
The project will be supervised between Mauro Werder (WSL Birmensdorf, ETH Zürich) and Ian Delaney (Université de Lausanne).
Mauro Werder werder@vaw.baug.ethz.ch
https://maurow.bitbucket.io
The project will be supervised between Mauro Werder (WSL Birmensdorf, ETH Zürich) and Ian Delaney (Université de Lausanne).