Techniques in Glacial Sedimentology Flashcards
Roundness
RA - % clasts very angular or angular RWR - % clasts rounded or well rounded C40 index -% clasts c/a axis less than 0.4 Can compare with standards or Measure the axis of the clasts A > B > C
Why are subglacial class rounded?
They are picked up and moved underneath the glacier and so undergo abrasion.
What is till fabric analysis?
The investigation of the orientation and dip of clasts (how the stones are oriented in the till).
What is till fabric analysis used to establish?
Ice direction and till genesis (how the till is formed)
Data Collection and analysis
Collect orientation and dip of at least 25 samples, but more normally 50.
Avoid surface
Try and take more than set of 25 samples at each site.
Different ways of interpreting/ presenting
2D analysis of till fabric
Rosa diagram
2D histogram
Different ways of interpreting/ presenting
3D analysis of till fabric
Polar diagram
Dip 0o outside
90o inside
Equal area Stereonet dip - 0o outside 90o inside Contoured by Kamb’s method Higher the contour the more clustered they are
2D Use of Till Fabric
- Until 1980’s most workers used till fabric analyses to reconstruct palaeo ice flow
- Need to be careful, only certain types of till genesis reflect ice flow
- Rose diagram is sufficient
Jeffrey 1922 - why do clasts rotate in a flowing medium?
– where the velocity is low the particals will orientate parallel with flow
– where the velocity is high they will move to a transverse position (perpendicular with flow)
Supraglacial
Orientated with ice direction?
No
Supraglacial
Strength of orientation
Low
Subglacial melt-out
Orientated with ice direction?
No
Subglacial lodgement
Orientated with ice direction?
Yes
Subglacial deformation
Orientated with ice direction?
Yes
Subglacial melt-out
Strength of orientation
Low
Subglacial lodgement
Strength of orientation
Low