A Geomorphologist
Fiona Tweed
Fiona Tweed is a professor of Physical Geography of Staffordshire University. Fiona's research include glacial processes and natural hazards. She has over 25 years of experience in collaborative field research. The main focus and region of her research is the glaciated and volcanic environments of Iceland and the effect that global warming has had on them.
Her research initially interested me as I have done some field work in Iceland focusing on glaciated and volcanic environments. However she also has done impressive work with the growth of glacial lakes and the effects that the ice melts and floods have had on the livelihood of people and the damage to property and infrastructure the floods would have. Living in a world where global warming is one of, if not the most important issue globally, understanding how environments will change as a direct cause of global warming is paramount to any success we hope to have in stopping it. Her research also intrigued me as it shows the scope of geomorphology working at local levels and connecting then to global geological processes.
HEr REsearch!
1.) "Proglacial Lakes, Character, Behaviour, and Geological Importance" by Jonathan L. Carrivick, and Fiona S. Tweed.
This study provides a synthesis of knowledge on proglacial lakes with an emphasis on local, regional, and global effects on geological systems. Her research shows the how proglacial lakes can be distinguished from each other by geomorphological, sedimentological, chemical, and biological characteristics. Her research also includes the fact that global warming is increasing the size and abundance of these lakes in the world, and how exceptionally large proglacial lake drainages affect and have affected global ocean circulation and global climate during the present period of the Quaternary.
2.) "Controls on the formation and sudden drainage of glacier-impounded lakes: Implications for jökulhlaup characteristics" By Fiona S. Tweed and Andrew J. Russell
In November 1996, the spectacular jökulhlaups (catastrophic floods) from Grímsvötn, Iceland, raised the profile of such events and emphasized the importance of this study. In this study catastrophic floods generated by ice-dammed lakes are referred to by their Icelandic term Jökulhlaups.
This study aims to demonstrate that ice-dammed lakes and ice-dam characteristics ultimately control seven key jökulhlaup attributes which determine the potential impact of jökulhlaups on both landscape and human activity in glaciated regions. This paper is important to geomorphology as it highlights that ice-dammed lakes can effect considerable geomorphic change in in glacial environments. This study summarizes the extent of current knowledge of ice-dammed lakes and highlights key developments and areas that are still subject to difficulties.
Citations for the Two Published Works
1.) Carrivick, J., & Tweed, F. (2013, October 15). Proglacial Lakes: Character, behaviour and geological importance. Retrieved September 09, 2020, from http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/81772/
2.) Tweed, F., & Russell, A. (1999). Controls on the formation and sudden drainage of glacier-impounded lakes: Implications for jökulhlaup characteristics [Abstract]. Progress in Physical Geography, 23(1), 79-110. doi:10.1191/030913399666727306
Sources
Professor Fiona Tweed. (2020). Retrieved September 09, 2020, from
https://www.staffs.ac.uk/people/fiona-tweed