Glacial geomorphology of the Great Glen Region of Scotland

• Main Authors: Turner, Andrew J., Woodward, John, Stokes, Chris R., Cofaigh, Colm Ó, Dunning, Stuart
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Taylor & Francis 2014
• Subjects: Cell Biology; 59999 Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified; FOS Earth and related environmental sciences; 39999 Chemical Sciences not elsewhere classified; FOS Chemical sciences; Ecology; FOS Biological sciences; 69999 Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified; 80699 Information Systems not elsewhere classified; FOS Computer and information sciences; Cancer; Computational Biology; Ice Sheet
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.963433; https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Glacial_geomorphology_of_the_Great_Glen_Region_of_Scotland/963433

This paper presents a detailed glacial Main Map of the Great Glen region of Scotland, UK, covering an area of over 6800 km 2 extending from 56°34′7″ to 57°41′1″ N and from 3°44′2″ to 5°33′24″ W. This represents the first extensive mapping of the glacial geomorphology of the Great Glen and builds upon previous studies that conducted localised field mapping or ice-sheet wide mapping using remote sensing. Particular emphasis is placed on deriving medium-scale glacial retreat patterns from these data, and examining differences in landsystem assemblages across the region. Features were typically mapped at a scale of 1:8000 to 1:10,000 and will be used to investigate the pattern and dynamics of the British-Irish Ice Sheet during deglaciation. Mapping was conducted using the NEXTMap digital terrain model. In total, 17,637 glacial landforms were mapped, with 58% identified as moraines, 23% as meltwater channels, 10% as bedrock controlled glacial lineations, 3% as eskers, 2% as cirques or arêtes, 2% as kame topography or kame terraces, and 1% as drumlins. Additionally, 10 palaeo-lake shorelines were identified. Complex landform assemblages in the form of streamlined subglacial bedforms, moraines and glaciofluvial features exist across the region. Extensive subglacial meltwater networks are found over the Monadhliath Mountain Range. Transverse and longitudinal moraine ridges generally arc across valley floors or are located on valley slopes respectively. Hummocky moraines are found almost exclusively across Rannoch Moor. Finally, eskers, meltwater channels and kame landforms form spatial relationships along the axis of Strathspey. These glacial landsystems reveal the dynamics and patterns of retreat of the British-Irish Ice Sheet during the last deglaciation.