Jökull - 01.12.1968, Page 55

The University of Glasgow
Breidamerkurjökull Project (1964—’67)
A Progress Report
R. J. PRICE,
UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW, G. B.
The application of photogrammetric techni-
ques to glacier studies is quite common in
Switzerland, Germany and North America. The
work that has been done at Breidamerkur-
jokull, in south-east Iceland, by members of
staff and research students of the Department
of Geography, University of Glasgow, has only
been possible because of the existence of the
excellent photogrammetric and surveying
equipment available in the Department. With-
out the enthusiastic support of the photogram-
metric, surveying and cartographic specialists
rnuch of the work of tlie glaciologists and geo-
morphologists would not have been possible.
Previous experience of photogrammetric, geo-
morphological ancl glaciological studies in
Alaska (Petrie and Price 1966; Price 1966)
prompted the joint supervisors of the Breida-
merkurjokull Project, G. Petrie and the author,
to formulate a three-year research project in
which photogrammetric methods would be us-
ed to produce maps based on two sets of aerial
photography, preferably taken twenty years
apart, of a glacier front and its proglacial area.
During the early part of 1964 Petrie and the
author corresponded with Scandinavian and
Icelandic experts seeking advice about the
selection of a glacier which liad not only been
photographed with a survey camera on at least
two occasions separated by twenty years but
which had, in its proglacial area, a variety of
glacial and fluvioglacial landforms suitable for
a research programme for the geomorphologists.
Because of the particular interests of the geo-
morphologists participating in this project it
was desirable to find a glacier with a wide
frontal zone rather than one wliich was narrow
and confined by steep valley walls.
‘The results of these preliminary investiga-
tions directed the attention of the project
supervisors to Iceland. In June 1964 Petrie
and the author visited Iceland ancl after con-
sultations with Dr. S. Thorarinsson of the
Museum of Natural History in Reykjavik and
Mr. A. Bodvarsson of the Icelandic Survey
Department (Landmaelingar Islands), Breida-
merkurjokull (Fig. 1) was selected as the sub-
ject of study for the three year research pro-
ject.
In October 1964 two research students were
invited to join the project. Mr. R. Welch,
M.Sc., who had acted as a field assistant for
the author in South-east Alaska, in 1962, came
to Glasgow from the United States and re-
ceived training in photogrammetric and photo
interpretation techniques. He was joined by
Mr. P. Howarth, B.A. from the University of
Cambridge who received training in photo-
grammetric and geomorphological techniques.
An application lor financial support for this
project was submitted in November, 1964, to
the Department of Scientific and Industrial
Research (which was subsequently renamed the
Natural Environment Research Council). The
aims of the project as stated in that applica-
tion were:—
1. To produce large-scale maps (1:15,000)
frorn air photographs of Breidamerkurjok-
ull and its proglacial area, taken in 1945
and 1964.
2. To measure the amount of ice wastage be-
tween 1945 and 1964.
JÖKULL 18. ÁR 389