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Whilst there has been a recent appreciation for the role of open‐system pingos in providing a fluid‐flow conduit through continuous permafrost that enables methane release, the formation and internal structure of these ubiquitous permafrost‐diagnostic landforms remains unclear. Here, we combine active‐source seismic measurements with electrical resistivity tomography to investigate the structural and subsurface characteristics of an incipient open‐system pingo actively emitting methane within the glacio‐isostatically uplifting fjord valley of Adventdalen, Svalbard. Wavefront inversion of seismic refractions delineate a spatially heterogeneous active layer, whilst deeper reflections identify the lithological boundaries between marine sediments and underlying shales at ∼68 m depth (p‐wave velocity of ∼1,790 ms−1). Low geometric mean inverted resistivities of 40–150 Ωm highlight the dominance of saline permafrost, whilst elevated resistivities (∼2 kΩm) occur close to the groundwater spring and in heaved areas around the pingo. Based on our results, we speculate that segregation ice dominates the pingo structure, given the absence of a notable resistivity contrast characteristic of injection ice that is typically expected within early open‐system pingo formation, and provides the most plausible geomorphic agent within the local fine‐grained sedimentology. Our results thereby indicate that sediment grain size and moisture availability can provide important controls on pingo formation. This study shows that open‐system pingos in coastal, saline permafrost environments may form differently, with implications for localized permafrost structure, its permeability to underlying gas reservoirs and consequent methane release. Plain Language Summary: Considerable amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, can flow through ground which is permanently below freezing (permafrost) through dome‐shaped landforms called open‐system pingos. These landforms occur in the lowlands of mountainous cold regions, from water under pressure from deep underground. However, the formation and internal structure of these landforms are unclear. We use geophysical techniques involving seismic waves and electrical resistivity to characterize the internal structure of a young pingo in Svalbard. Our seismic investigation find a seasonally thawing (active) layer with a variable thickness, and a deeper reflection at ∼68 m which we interpret as the boundary between marine sediments and bedrock. Meanwhile, relatively low electrical resistivities indicate that the ground is saline, and suggest an internal structure that is dominated by discrete layers of ice known as segregated ice, as opposed to a large body of ice which is ordinarily expected. Our results indicate that sediment grain size and moisture availability are important controls on pingo formation. This is important as there may be differences in how these pingos form, and this will impact the structure of local frozen ground and in how they allow the escape of methane stored deep beneath the permafrost. Key Points: Seismic refraction, reflection and electrical resistivity tomography are used to characterize a coastal methane‐emitting incipient pingoLow resistivities and geomorphology preclude massive ice presence, and indicate segregation ice dominates early pingo internal structureSedimentology and moisture availability are critical controls on early pingo formation, and causes plurality within pingo structures [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bristol Channel, including onshore areas, is critical for reconstructing Pleistocene glacial limits in southwest Britain. Debate about the precise regional southern limits of Devensian (Oxygen Isotope Stage (OIS) 2) and Anglian (OIS 12) glaciations has recently been rekindled. The Paviland Moraine (Llanddewi Formation), Gower, south Wales is conventionally regarded as Anglian in age. Its ‘old’ age has been based on reported highly weathered clasts, a subdued morphology and ‘field relationships’ to fossil beach sediments of now disputed age(s). Relatively little about its sedimentary characteristics has been previously published. This paper: (i) presents new sedimentological evidence including lithofacies analysis, XRF analysis and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) of sediment cores and electrical resistivity of a tied 3D field grid; (ii) re‐assesses the proposed ‘old’ age; (iii) suggests a likely depositional origin; and (iv) discusses implications for regional glacial dynamics and future research priorities. The sediments comprise mostly dipping glacigenic diamict units containing mainly Welsh Coalfield erratics. The location and subdued moraine morphology are attributed to the hydrological influence of the underlying limestone, the local topography and ice‐sheet behaviour rather than to long‐term degradation. Moraine formation is attributed mainly to sediment gravity flows that coalesced to produce an ice‐frontal apron. Neither geochemical data nor clasts indicate prolonged subaerial weathering and in‐situ moraine sediments are restricted to a limestone plateau above and inland of fossil beach sediments. We recommend rejecting the view that the moraine represents the only recognized OIS 12 deposit in Wales and conclude that instead it marks the limit of relatively thin Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) ice in west Gower. This requires revision of the accepted view of a more restricted LGM limit in the area. We suggest that substrate hydrological conditions may be a more influential factor in moraine location and form than is currently acknowledged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a scientist's mission to try to remain unbiased. However, certain factors play a role in scientific analyses that are not controlled by conscious thought. These factors are potentially very important in areas of science where interpretations are based on a scientist's ability to identify patterns or structures. One such area is the micromorphology of glacial sediments. In this paper we investigate the role of an analyst's experience in relation to pattern perception with specific reference to turbate microstructures in glacial diamictons. An experiment was conducted on 52 participants, which demonstrated that, as may be expected, more experienced (glacial) micromorphologists tend to exhibit a higher sensitivity-to-signal, but that complete novices, if given clear instructions, can reach levels of sensitivity similar to those of experts. It also showed, perhaps more surprisingly, that response bias does not decrease with experience. We discuss psychological factors, such as the drive for success and consistency, that may have contributed to these results and investigate their possible implications in the micromorphological analysis and interpretation of glacial sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Despite significant advances over the past decades, our understanding of drumlin formation and associated ice-bed processes is still incomplete. In this paper, we present the integrated use of geomorphological, sedimentological and geophysical techniques as a powerful means to force a breakthrough towards solving the drumlin enigma. We report on investigations of the anatomy of the Pigeon Point drumlin, Clew Bay, Ireland. We found that the bulk of the landform, which displays a classical drumlin shape, consists of silty-clayey diamicton showing evidence of deformation, hydrofracturing and comminution. The unit is interpreted as a sub-glacial traction till/comminution till. The thin unit overlying this basal till consists of silty-sandy diamicton, and is interpreted as a para-glacially modified melt-out till. The partly cemented third unit consists of stratified, massive to graded sands and gravels. Its contact with the sub-glacial traction till consists of a series of concave shapes, which suggests that it was deposited in meltwater channels that flowed in sub-glacial cavities and that cut laterally into the drumlin. We propose that highs in the undulating rockhead relief, as shown in the seismic profile, have provided nuclei which initiated drumlin formation. This idea is supported by the observation of local detached bedrock slabs that grade upwards into a comminution till. In the long profile, very high normalized induced polarization (IP) values form a wedge-shape, which is interpreted as a set of conjugate thrusts, or a 'pop-up' structure. The structure is positioned directly above one of the undulations in the bedrock, suggesting a direct relationship. The high values are thought to reflect the presence of pre-existing clays, which were sheared into the till, thus forming linings in the thrust features. It is concluded that glacitectonic processes, notably differential bedrock weathering and thrusting, have played a key role in the formation of this drumlin. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent rapid changes in the marine-terminating sectors of the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) have prompted concerns about the future stability of the ice sheet. Long-term records of ice sheet behaviour provide valuable context to assess the magnitude of current change and may help resolve the mechanisms driving deglaciation. We report 23 new 10Be exposure ages which constrain the deglacial history of two large fjord systems in southeast (SE) Greenland. We compare our chronologies with existing data from the centre of the sector to examine the timing and style of deglaciation at a regional-scale. Glacial erratic 10Be exposure ages demonstrate that Kangerdlugssuaq Fjord deglaciated at ~11.8 ka at the end of the Younger Dryas (YD - 12.8-11.6 ka). Retreat at Kangerdlugssuaq Fjord coincided with known incursion of the warm Irminger Current (IC) onto the continental shelf; this is inferred to have initiated retreat. Comparison with recently published results from Sermilik Fjord and new 10Be ages from Bernstorffs Fjord indicates deglaciation occurred ~1 ka later in the south of the SE region. Sermilik Fjord (~10.9 ka) and Bernstorffs Fjord (~10.4 ka) deglaciated later; retreat likely occurred in response to dramatic climatic amelioration at the termination of the YD stadial. We suggest that the disparate timing of deglaciation across the SE region may be primarily explained by the varying influence of the warm IC; glaciers in southern SE Greenland were isolated from warm Atlantic waters during the YD by complex shelf bathymetry. In all fjord settings ice retreat was rapid and persistent, consistent with the absence of geomorphological evidence for stillstand or readvance events. Ice retreat was accompanied by rapid thinning and likely continued to well within present-day ice sheet margins. Glacial erratic 10Be age determinations and geomorphological observations show no evidence for Holocene readvance events prior to the Little Ice Age (LIA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The late-Holocene, especially post-Little Ice Age, evolution of Nystølen alluvial fan, Langedalen, Jostedalsbreen region, southern Norway, is investigated using a combination of evidence from surface morphology, recent aerial photography, lichenometric dating, hydrological reconstruction, stratigraphy, and sedimentology. The fan is of predominantly fluvial origin, but it was effectively influenced by variations in the extent of the Nystølsbreen glacier, which advanced onto the fan apex at its Little Ice Age maximum about A.D. 1750, by colluvial activity (primarily snow avalanche) and by the Langedøla River undercutting the fan toe. The fluvial signature is evident in the pattern of distributary channels, lobate boulder berms on the proximal fan surface, three characteristic sedimentary facies associations, and a general down-fan fining identified within stratigraphical sections. The glacier influenced fan development through inputs of sediment (till and glaciofluvial material) and by modification of the flood regime. Snow avalanches added volumetrically small quantities of characteristically coarse and angular colluvial sedimentary material, but debris flows were unimportant. Episodic undercutting of the fan toe initiated a sequence of events consequent on the fall in the local base level, which rendered the distal fan susceptible to headward erosion of box-sided gullies during flood events and their subsequent infilling by the coarse-grained sediment. The evidence is used to develop a new dynamic evolutionary model that reflects these spatial and temporal complexities of glacier-fed, alpine alluvial fan development and incorporates submodels of process interaction, sedimentary architecture, and gully erosion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]