About this group
Duration of QRA support: 2026-2029
Organisers: Cathy Delaney, Jonathan Carrivick, Adrian Palmer, Jenna Sutherland, Kathryn Adamson, Iestyn Barr
The PLWG aims to promote collaborative research on proglacial lakes amongst researchers working across a broad spectrum of research disciplines, including glaciology, geomorphology, sedimentology, geochronological studies, biomarker- and geochemical-based palaeoenvironmental studies, numerical modelling and engineering geology.
Scientific themes we wish to explore include:
- Glacial lakes in the Quaternary record
- Quaternary and modern glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs)
- Glacial lake basins as sediment archives, for example of palaeoenvironmental change including glacial dynamics
- Creation and application of varve chronologies from glacial lake sediments
- The role of proglacial lakes in ice sheet and glacier behaviour
- The role of proglacial lakes in downstream landscape stability and water quality
- Engineering geology of glacial lake sediments and landforms
- Character and behaviour of, and processes in, glacial lakes
- Numerical modelling of ice-lake interactions
- Links between these themes.
Photo credit: Jonathan Carrivick
Annual workshops
The QRAPLWG will hold annual workshops to promote discussion and work on joint publications and initiatives. The first workshop will be held on 13th November 2026 at the University of Leeds.
Get involved
If you would like find out more about this research group’s activities or get involved with upcoming events, please contact QRA or the lead organiser of the group.