Current Postgraduate Students
Mr Martin Brader
Contact Mr Martin Brader (email at m.d.brader@durham.ac.uk)
Biography
2007 - 2010: BSc (Hons) Geography (1st Class), Durham University.
2010 - 2011: MSc (by Research) Geography, Durham University.
2011 - Present: PhD Geography, Durham University
Current Research
Lateglacial to Holocene relative sea-level changes and the deglaciation of northwest Iceland (PhD)
Supervisors: Dr Jerry Lloyd, Prof. Mike Bentley, Dr Anthony Newton (Edinburgh)
In comparison to Fennoscandia and Arctic Canada, the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) extent of the Icelandic Ice Sheet (IIS) is still relatively poorly constrained. At present, there are two contrasting hypotheses of the Icelandic glaciation, with very different resulting patterns of ice loading and associated relative sea-level (RSL) change. Investigating the contrasting ice loading scenarios is important, as the potential volume of meltwater from the LGM IIS would also vary between scenarios, leading to very different implications for global thermohaline circulation.
As a result, this research will investigate the postglacial RSL changes of northwest (NW) Iceland with the principal aim of resolving the current debates surrounding the ice loading history of the region. This will be achieved through a combination of accurate, high density RSL data and glacio-isostatic adjustment (GIA) modelling. Isolation basin sites will be investigated in five areas of NW Iceland along two perpendicular transects, allowing regional patterns of RSL change to be identified and therefore the hypotheses of ice loading to be tested.
Previous Research
Postglacial relative sea-level change and deglaciation of Stykkishólmur, northern Snæfellsnes, Iceland (MSc Res)
Supervisors: Dr Jerry Lloyd, Prof. Mike Bentley
Comparatively little is currently known about the postglacial RSL changes of NW Iceland, with relatively few scientific studies having been undertaken in the region. This research aimed to provide an accurate reconstruction of the Lateglacial and Holocene RSL changes for northern Snæfellsnes. A series of six isolation basin and one raised marsh sites were investigated, alongside the mapping of the local marine limit, to provide a RSL curve for the region.
Funding
- Van Mildert College Principal's Award (2013) - £2000
- BSG Postgraduate Research Grant (2013) - £1000
- QRA New Researchers Award (2013) - £800
- RGS-IBG Postgraduate Research Award (2013) - £2000
- Durham University FoSS PhD Projects and Initiatives Scheme (2012) - £500
- Van Mildert College Travel Bursary Award (2012) - £500
- RGS Dudley Stamp Memorial Award (2012) - £500
- Van Mildert College Postgraduate Award (2010, 2011, 2012) - £2000 per award
Memberships
Postgraduate member of:
- Quaternary Research Association
- International Glaciological Society
- British Society for Geomorphology