MMU Research Expedition to Hardangervidda, Summer 2008

This research is partly funded by MMU.
Co-worker: Dr Frank. H. Nicholson (LJMU).

INTRODUCTION

The expedition started in August 2008 with a ten-day undergraduate field course to the Jostedals and Jotunheimen regions in central Norway. Following that, the main research expedition was based at Roldal in southern Norway, on the south-western corner of Hardangervidda Plateau. Eight undergraduate students joined us for the first part and four stayed on for the second mpart. In addition, two brave first year students joined us as Field Research Assistants for the second part of the trip.

The general aim of the expedition was to continue ongoing research into the geomorphology of a high mountain plateau environment, with particular emphasis on rock weathering processes, periglacial phenomena and landform evolution.

Student projects included:

  1. Investigating postglacial weathering of roche moutonnee in relation to bedrock structure.
  2. Investigating blockstreams, their origin, movement and geomorphic history.
  3. Water quality and its role in determining invertebrate diversity and spatial distribution .
  4. Characteristics and variations in bedrock weathering under shallow sediment and soil burial.

In addition, the expedition leaders worked on:

  1. Characteristics and spatial variation in sub-nival bedrock weathering.
  2. Fungal weathering at the margins of, and beneath, late-lying snowpatches.
  3. Characterictics and processes of ploughing boulders.
  4. Monitoring total displacement of ploughing boulders and frost heave blocks over several seasons, both in summer and winter.

Typical view of the plateau around Snoskar and Rekking. Note the abundance of frost-shattered debris and ice-moulded forms.
LABORATORY ANALYSES & MONITORING