Z8051 Glaciers of the Earth and methods of their research

Faculty of Science
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Daniel Nývlt, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Kamil Láska, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Martin Hanáček, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Daniel Nývlt, Ph.D.
Department of Geography – Earth Sciences Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: doc. Mgr. Daniel Nývlt, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Geography – Earth Sciences Section – Faculty of Science
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/25, only registered: 3/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 11 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
Learning outcomes of the course is to broaden the knowledge of the partial components of the cryosphere and their interactions; to link the approaches of partial scientific disciplines and to explain the possibilities of using geomorphological, geological and geographical data, including remote sensing, in assessing the past, present and future development of glaciers on our planet. Student will get an overview of modern methods of glacier research and their applications in the evaluation of individual components of physical geographical sphere.
Learning outcomes
Student will be able to:
- to explain past and current changes of glaciers and their causes and consequences,
- quantify the mass balance of a selected glacier from available data,
- to reconstruct the earlier properties of the glacier from the sedimentary record and landforms,
- apply modern methods of glacier research for an example study.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction to glaciology, origin of glacier ice, glacier mass balance, glacier thermal conditions, glacier hydrology
  • 2. Geographical factors of the origin and recent glacier distribition on the Earth, types of glaciers and interactions with other environments of the planet
  • 3. Past glacier distribution on the Earth, glacier evolution during glacial periods and epochs.
  • 4. Modern research methods of present glaciers and the use of these information in other scientific disciplines (ice core analyses, remote sensing, geophysical and geodetical data analysis)
  • 5. Recent glacier changes, their causes and consequencies related to other physical geographycal spheres
  • 6. Past glaciation reconstruction and modelling of future glacier behaviour on the Earth
  • 7. Mechanics of glacier movement, processes of glacier erosion and accumulation
  • 8. Origin and evolution of glacial sediments and landforms and methods of their study
  • 9. Landsystem approach to the study of glaciers with case studies
Literature
    recommended literature
  • BENN, Douglas I. and EVANS David J.A. Glaciers & Glaciation. 2nd edition, Hodder.Arnold Publication, 2010, 816 s. ISBN 978-0340905791.
  • EVANS David J.A. Glacial Landsystem. Arnold, 2003, 532 s. ISBN 0-340-80665-6
  • CUFFEY, Kurt M. and W. S. B. PATERSON. The physics of glaciers. Fourth edition. Amsterdam: Elsevier,Buttertworth-Heinemann, 2010, xii, 693. ISBN 9780123694614. info
  • HUBBARD, Bryn and Neil F. GLASSER. Field techniques in glaciology and glacial geomorphology. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, 2005, x, 400. ISBN 0470844264. info
  • HOOKE, Roger LeB. Principles of glacier mechanics. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005, xvii, 429. ISBN 0521544165. info
Teaching methods
The lecture will provide newest comprehensive information about glaciers, their origin and evolution in geological past and present. The importance of glaciers in shaping the landscape and evaluation of interactions between glaciers on one side and bedrock and climate system on the second side will be explained using a multidisciplinary approach.
Assessment methods
A necessary condition for granting of the credit is an active participation in seminars, preparation and submission of all protocols - thematic projects. Final examination has an oral form.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught once in two years.
The course is taught: every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2014, Spring 2017, Spring 2019, Spring 2021, Spring 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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