(Quaternary Science Reviews 28 (2009) pp557-579

Past research contributions

1960s

• First demonstration of the age of the last glaciation in Britain
• Demonstration that single glacial episodes can produce multiple till sequences

1970s

• Characterised the nature of glacial sedimentary sequences and their relation to the thermal regime of the parent glacier
• Demonstrated rates of weathering in newly deglaciated terrain
• First quantitative theories of glacial erosion and glacial deposition
• Demonstrated the relationships between glacial sedimentary processes and geotechnical properties
• First use of the land systems approach to characterize different glacial sedimentary systems
• Application of modern glaciological theory to produce the first model simulation of a Pleistocene ice sheet
• First direct measurement of stress and erosion rates at the base of an active glacier
• First demonstration of shear deformation beneath glaciers and their implications for glacial sedimentation

1980s

• Development of the structure of the southern Iceland coastal zone during the Holocene
• Modern and Holocene patterns of sediment dispersal over the southern continental shelf of Iceland
• Demonstrated the nature and rheology of sediment deformation beneath glaciers
• Demonstrated the effect of deforming subglacial sediments on the form and dynamics of Pleistocene ice sheets
• Theory of drumlin formation by sediment deformation based on observation of modern process and drumlin form and structure
• Theory of erratic dispersal by glaciers

1990s

• Demonstration of the architecture of glaciomarine sediments and their relation to patterns of glacio-isostatic crustal flexure
• First recognition of the existence of major, large scale crossing lineation sets produced by Pleistocene ice sheets, and the dynamic ice sheet behaviour they reflect
• Theory of erosion and deposition due to sediment deformation
• Large scale structure of a modern push moraine and the role of porewater pressures
• The sedimentary impact of a major recent surge on large scale sediment architecture
• First recognition of the major significance of groundwater flow beneath glaciers and ice sheets, including the impact on geotechnics

2000s

• Demonstration of the ubiquitous nature of ice streams in the last European ice sheet and their relations to pattern of advance and decay of the ice sheet
• First direct measurements of groundwater flow and its impacts beneath an active glacier and measurements of the groundwater regime associated with esker-forming tunnels
• Quantitative theory of formation of esker systems and demonstration of the fundamental role of groundwater flow in modern and Pleistocene glaciers
• A new theory of ice sheet drainage and its role in ice sheet dynamics and stability