CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Bousada, G.; Mood, B.; Kershaw, G.; and Laroque, C.P.
Date : 2010.
Title : Three-dimensional modeling of ice loss since the Little Ice Age at the Saskatchewan Glacier, Alberta, Canada.
Publication : 22nd Annual Meeting of the Atlantic Division of the Canadian Association of Geographers. October 1-3, 2010. Department of Geography, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland.
Issue : Program and Abstracts Volume.
Page(s) : 4.
Abstract
The recession of alpine glaciers in western Canada has proceeded unabated since the end of the Little Ice Age in the 1860’s. This paper attempts to map the recession of one of the largest alpine glaciers on the Columbia Icefield, the Saskatchewan glacier located on the border of Banff and Jasper National Parks. We mapped the glacier forefield and current terminus with a differential GPS unit which provided accurate positional measurements. Specifically we used the trim line positions, the terminal moraine deposits and the current terminus of the glacier to estimate the xyz extent of the glacier since its maximum at the end of the Little Ice Age. Using archived aerial and other historical photographs, glacial retreat and past ice front positions will be layered onto our model glacier using reference features we marked with the GPS. Our three dimensional modeling exercise will help quantify the recent fluctuations in glacial size, and the corresponding meltwater discharge from the Saskatchewan Glacier. The results of this study are expected to provide extremely important indicator values for estimates of future downstream water availability within the North Saskatchewan river system.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology