Dear Colleagues,
we are pleased to announce the new project of TecTask: Glacier Watch. You can find the details of the project at the following link:
http://www.tectonique.net/tectask/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27&Itemid=73
or directly linking from the front page menu of TecTask.
In recent years, the rapid glacier retreat, as an evident consequence of global warming, has resulted in the exposure of large areas of perfectly polished outcrops, providing a unique opportunity for field study of geological structures. Unfortunately glaciated outcrops are not everlasting. After exposure, these glacier-polished areas eventually
deteriorate, in most cases in a few tens of years at most, due to surface weathering, lichen growth, mechanical damage and accumulation of cover. It would be indeed unfortunate if the short-term opportunity provided by the exposure of such nearly perfect polished exposures is not fully utilized. It is clearly impossible to study and record the worldwide
exposures cleared from ice every year, but an effort should be made focusing on those areas with the most valuable (scientific and /or educational) geological interest. It is therefore the core aim of project Glacier Watch of TecTask to:
* identify and select areas worldwide of recent exposure at the front of glaciers exposing relevant geological structures;
* promote the formation of research groups for mapping, studying and recording these unique outcrops;
* develop an efficient protocol for quantitative mapping through the feedback from, and interaction between, different research groups, loosely coordinated through Glacier Watch;
* select easily accessible areas that can provide natural laboratories for teaching structural geology thanks to the unique
exposure of structures;
The web site illustrates three of such spectacular areas with some photographs of nice deformation structures that can be observed directly in the field and where details down to the grain scale can be seen. Take a look
and enjoy.
Please email me ([log in to unmask]) any suggestion of glaciated areas exposing spectacular geological structures to you repute worth to be mapped and studied. A description of the locality should include:
* the exposed structures, with a short description and photos
* the accessibility and logistics of the area
* the educational potential of the area
* the scientific potential (why we should not miss those outcrops)
* the approximate surface area of exposure
* relevant bibliography and geological maps (if existing)
The database of localities will be published on the Glacier Watch website. This will allows the aggregation of researchers willing to collaborate on the study of those selected areas. The Tectask committee will also try to support the study of those areas reputed as exceptional ones. Please, in submitting your suggestions to Glacier Watch, consider the feasibility
of a geological campaign plan.
On behalf of the Tectask group
Best regards
Giorgio Pennacchioni
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Prof. Giorgio Pennacchioni
Dipartimento di Geoscienze
Università di Padova
Via Gradenigo 6
35131 Padova
Italy
phone: +39 049 827 9106 (office)
+39 3386718488 (mobile)
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