History of Glaciation in the UK

Glaciers

In this course, Dr Simon Cook (University of Dundee) explores the topic of glaciers. In the first module we cover the history of glaciation across the globe then more specifically on the UK. In the second module we look at the processes of glacier erosion and some of the landscapes that result from this. The third module focuses on how glaciers transport sediment and deposit that sediment in various types of glacial till. The fourth module focuses more at the typical landscapes that are formed by glaciers such as moraines, horns and glacial troughs. The fifth and final module wraps up by focusing on how glaciated landscapes are utilised to promote tourism and local biodiversity, as well as some of the threats that these landscapes face in response to climate change.

History of Glaciation in the UK

In this first module, we contextualise our current landscapes by looking into the past at the history of glaciation around the world, northern Europe and then the UK. We focus on: (i) defining a glacier and an ice sheet; (ii) ice coverage from 500,000 years ago all the way up to the present day; (iii) some typical features of glacial landscapes such a nunataks, lakes and fjords; (iv) classic examples of glaciated landscapes today such as Glen Coe and Cadair Idris.