Dr Alessa Geiger
- Honorary Research Associate (School of Geographical & Earth Sciences)
email:
Alessa.Geiger@glasgow.ac.uk
School of Geographical & Earth Sciences, Main Building, East Quadrangle, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Glasgow
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7346-1567Research interests
General Outline
I utilize geomorphic mapping, sedimentological analysis and geochronological techniques to reconstruct the timing and manner of glacier expansion and retreat. During the past seven years my work has mainly focused on building a better understanding of late Quaternary southern hemispheric glacial and climatic change. I have also been involved in utilizing sedimentological analysis to establish palaeo-glaciological dynamics of surge-type glaciers in Iceland.
To build glacier chronologies, I use in-situ produced terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide analysis (10Be, 26Al, 36Cl). In particular I have been developing an empirical dataset, tracking Patagonian Ice Sheet surface elevation and ice thickness changes as well as determining glacier extent during the last two glacial cycles (191-11.7 kyr) and the Holocene (11.7-present), in Chile & Argentina (42, 49, 53-55°S). This work provides key insights into the local palaeo-glaciology and regional palaeo-climatology of southern South America.
Ongoing research projects
- Chilean Fjords: using cosmogenic nuclides to establish ice sheet morphology changes through time & using marine cores to ascertain glacier dynamics through ice rafted debris deposits of the former marine-terminating Patagonian Ice Sheet between 53-55°S. Samples/cores were collected during Polarstern cruise PS97 in 2016. In collaboration with Dr. Lamy, AWI, Prof. Dr. Spiegel, University of Bremen & HWK-Institute of Advances Study, Germany.
- Chalten-HPS Patagonia: exposure dating of vertical dimensions of former Patagonian Ice Sheet surrounding El Chalten, Lago Viedma, Glaciers Chico & Viedma, Argentina/Chile (49°S, 72-73°W). In collaboration with Dr. Fabel (SUERC) and Prof. Glasser (Aberystwyth).
- Northern Patagonia: exposure dating of vertical and horizontal glacier dimensions between Cholila - El Ricon, Argentina (41-42°S, 71°W), in collaboration with Dr. Ruiz, IANIGLA, Argentina. Recent successfull NERC-CIAF grant received (9166/0416). Extension of this project toward Esquel in collaboration with Dr. Smedley, Keele University, UK.
- Historical Patagonia: digitisation and analysis of historical weather data collected at remote Patagonian Estancias between the 1920s-1960s, in collaboration with Dr. Masiokas, IANGILA, Argentina.
- Mullajökull: Glacial geomorphology and sedimentology infront of surging glacier, Iceland. In collaboration with Dr. Benediktsson - (Lund), Dr. Schomacker (Copenhagen), Dr. Johnson (Gothenberg).
Publications
2023
Rodriguez, P. C., Geiger, A. J. , Ferri, L., Smedley, R. K., Garcia, J.- L. and Herrera, G. (2023) Glacial geomorphology between the Gran Campo Nevado and Estrecho de Magallanes, Chile (52–53°S, 73°W). Journal of Maps, (doi: 10.1080/17445647.2022.2153091) (Early Online Publication)
2020
Davies, B. J. et al. (2020) The evolution of the Patagonian Ice Sheet from 35 ka to the present day (PATICE). Earth Science Reviews, 204, 103152. (doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2020.103152)
2015
Benediktsson, Í. Ö., Schomacker, A., Johnson, M. D., Geiger, A. J. , Ingólfsson, Ó. and Guðmunsdóttir, E. R. (2015) Architecture and structural evolution of an early Little Ice Age terminal moraine at the surge-type glacier Múlajökull, Iceland. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 120(9), pp. 1895-1910. (doi: 10.1002/2015JF003514)
Geiger, A. , Fabel, D. and Glasser, N. (2015) Patagonian Ice Surface Elevation Changes at 49°S: implications for Ice Sheet Dynamics During the Last Glacial Cycle. Quaternary of southern South America Meeting, Glasgow, Scotland, 2-3 Jun 2015. (Unpublished)
Geiger, A. (2015) Quaternary of Southern South America Meeting Report. [Research Reports or Papers]
2014
Geiger, A..J. , Fabel, D. and Glasser, N.F. (2014) MIS3 To Late Holocene Palaeo-Ice Thickness Constraints of Glacier Viedma, Hielo Patagonico Sur, Southern South America. AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA USA, 15-19 Dec 2014.
Geiger, A.J. , Fabel, D. and Glasser, N.F. (2014) Empirical Ice Thickness Constraints from the Cerro Fitz Roy Massif, Southern Patagonia, Argentina. GSA Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 19-22 Oct 2014.
Geiger, A. , Fabel, D. and Glasser, N. (2014) El Palaeo-Espesor de Glaciar Viedma, Hielo Patagonico Sur, Argentina. XIX Argentine Geological Congress, Cordoba, Argentina, 2-6 Jun 2014.
2013
Geiger, A. , Fabel, D. and Glasser, N.F. (2013) Ice Sheet Thinning Over 54.2 ka, Patagonia, South America. 8th International Conference on Geomorphology of the International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG), Paris, France, 27-31 Aug 2013.
Geiger, A. (2013) Thickness Constraints of the Patagonian Ice Sheet Over the Last Glacial Cycle Using Surface Exposure Dating. [Research Reports or Papers]
2010
Schomacker, A., Johnson, M.D., Benediktsson, I.O., Ingolfsson, O., Geiger, A.J. and Ferguson, A. (2010) Active Drumlin Field Revealed at the Margin of Múlajökull, Iceland: A Surge-Type Glacier. AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA USA, 13-17 Dec 2010.
Johnson, M.D., Schomacker, A., Benediktsson, Í.Ö., Geiger, A.J. , Ferguson, A. and Ingólfsson, Ó. (2010) Active drumlin field revealed at the margin of Múlajökull, Iceland: a surge-type glacier. Geology, 38(10), pp. 943-946. (doi: 10.1130/G31371.1)
Articles
Rodriguez, P. C., Geiger, A. J. , Ferri, L., Smedley, R. K., Garcia, J.- L. and Herrera, G. (2023) Glacial geomorphology between the Gran Campo Nevado and Estrecho de Magallanes, Chile (52–53°S, 73°W). Journal of Maps, (doi: 10.1080/17445647.2022.2153091) (Early Online Publication)
Davies, B. J. et al. (2020) The evolution of the Patagonian Ice Sheet from 35 ka to the present day (PATICE). Earth Science Reviews, 204, 103152. (doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2020.103152)
Benediktsson, Í. Ö., Schomacker, A., Johnson, M. D., Geiger, A. J. , Ingólfsson, Ó. and Guðmunsdóttir, E. R. (2015) Architecture and structural evolution of an early Little Ice Age terminal moraine at the surge-type glacier Múlajökull, Iceland. Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, 120(9), pp. 1895-1910. (doi: 10.1002/2015JF003514)
Johnson, M.D., Schomacker, A., Benediktsson, Í.Ö., Geiger, A.J. , Ferguson, A. and Ingólfsson, Ó. (2010) Active drumlin field revealed at the margin of Múlajökull, Iceland: a surge-type glacier. Geology, 38(10), pp. 943-946. (doi: 10.1130/G31371.1)
Research Reports or Papers
Geiger, A. (2015) Quaternary of Southern South America Meeting Report. [Research Reports or Papers]
Geiger, A. (2013) Thickness Constraints of the Patagonian Ice Sheet Over the Last Glacial Cycle Using Surface Exposure Dating. [Research Reports or Papers]
Conference or Workshop Item
Geiger, A. , Fabel, D. and Glasser, N. (2015) Patagonian Ice Surface Elevation Changes at 49°S: implications for Ice Sheet Dynamics During the Last Glacial Cycle. Quaternary of southern South America Meeting, Glasgow, Scotland, 2-3 Jun 2015. (Unpublished)
Geiger, A..J. , Fabel, D. and Glasser, N.F. (2014) MIS3 To Late Holocene Palaeo-Ice Thickness Constraints of Glacier Viedma, Hielo Patagonico Sur, Southern South America. AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA USA, 15-19 Dec 2014.
Geiger, A.J. , Fabel, D. and Glasser, N.F. (2014) Empirical Ice Thickness Constraints from the Cerro Fitz Roy Massif, Southern Patagonia, Argentina. GSA Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 19-22 Oct 2014.
Geiger, A. , Fabel, D. and Glasser, N. (2014) El Palaeo-Espesor de Glaciar Viedma, Hielo Patagonico Sur, Argentina. XIX Argentine Geological Congress, Cordoba, Argentina, 2-6 Jun 2014.
Geiger, A. , Fabel, D. and Glasser, N.F. (2013) Ice Sheet Thinning Over 54.2 ka, Patagonia, South America. 8th International Conference on Geomorphology of the International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG), Paris, France, 27-31 Aug 2013.
Schomacker, A., Johnson, M.D., Benediktsson, I.O., Ingolfsson, O., Geiger, A.J. and Ferguson, A. (2010) Active Drumlin Field Revealed at the Margin of Múlajökull, Iceland: A Surge-Type Glacier. AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA USA, 13-17 Dec 2010.
Grants
Total Research Grants: £234,820
Total Conference Attendance Support: £4,805
Geiger, A.J. 2016. Constraining longitudinal changes in Patagonian Ice Sheet geometry and dynamics during the last glacial to deglacial phase (42° & 52°S). Awarded by CONICYT-FONDECYT, Chile, Project No.: 3170869 (2017-2020), £91,688.
Geiger, A.J., Glasser, N.F. Ruiz, L.E., Fabel, D. 2016. Research Grant for "Constraining the glacial chronology of north-eastern Patagonia (42°S, 71°W). Awarded by NERC-CIAF 9166/0416, £56,882.
Geiger, A.J. 2015. Travel Grant to attend INQUA Congress, Nagoya, Japan (QRA, £650).
Geiger, A.J., Darvill, C., Roland, T., Glasser, N.F. 2015. Conference Organisation Grant for UK based conference on Quaternary of southern South America (BSG, £545).
Geiger, A.J., Darvill, C., Roland, T., Glasser, N.F. 2014. Discussion Meeting Organisation Grant for UK based conference on Quaternary of southern South America (QRA, £500).
Geiger, A.J., Weeks, F. 2014. Service Learning Grant for GK-12 Fellowship Outreach Project with Tecumseh Middle School (Purdue University, £300).
Geiger, A.J. 2014. Student Travel Grant to present at AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, USA (AGU, £300).
Geiger, A.J. 2014. Travel Grant to present at GSA Meeting, Vancouver, Canada (GES, £400).
Geiger, A.J. 2013. Quaternary Conference Fund to present at XIX Argentine Geological Congress, Cordoba, Argentina (QRA, £400).
Geiger, A.J. 2013. Travel Grant to present at XIX Argentine Geological Congress, Cordoba, Argentina (GES, £500).
Geiger, A.J. 2013. Mobility Funding for four months research visit at EAPS, Purdue University, Indiana, USA (College of Science & Engineering, £2,900).
Geiger, A.J., Fabel, D., Glasser, N.F. 2012. Research Grant for Thickness constraints of the Patagonian Ice Sheet using 10Be, 26Al & 36Cl. Awarded by NERC-CIAF 9117/0412, £30,600.
Geiger, A.J. 2012. Travel Grant to attend MATLAB Workshop, Wales, UK (GES, £200).
Geiger, A.J. 2012. Postgraduate Research Award for fieldwork in southern Patagonia, 2011-12 season (RGS-IBG, £2,200).
Geiger, A.J. 2012. McCorckel Travel Scholarship for IANIGLA collaboration, northern Patagonia, 2011-12 season (GES, £250).
Geiger, A.J. 2011. Research grant for fieldwork in southern Patagonia, 2011-12 season (Carnegie Trust, £2,200).
Geiger, A.J. 2011. Postgraduate Research Grant for fieldwork in southern Patagonia, 2011-12 season (BSG, £1000).
Geiger, A.J. 2011. New Researcher Worker’s Award for fieldwork in southern Patagonia, season 2011-12 (QRA, £500).
Geiger, A.J. 2011. Expenses covered to attend Cosmogenic Nuclides Conference, Obergurgl, Austria (ESF-LFUI, ca. £650).
Geiger, A.J. 2011. Travel Grant to participate in GIA Training School, Gävle, Sweden (COST ES0701, £260).
Geiger, A.J. 2011. Travel Grant to attend the EGU conference, Vienna, Austria (GES, £400).
Geiger, A.J. 2010. Research Grant for fieldwork in southern Patagonia, season 2010-11 (Carnegie Trust, £1,000).
Geiger, A.J. 2010-13. PhD Scholarship (Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland, £45,300).
Teaching
Lecturer at Ludwig-Maximilians University (2016-17)
Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Geology Section
- sabatical cover of Exogenic Processes module in Geology Bachelor Program (taught in German)
- Key themese covered: glaciology, glacial geomorphology, weathering & slope processes, fluvial, lacustrine & costal systems.
GTA at Glasgow University (2010-15)
College of Science and Engineering, Student Learning Services
- personal/professional development skills lecture development/delivery for UG, exchange & masters students.
- study skills seminar leader (L1-4) & L1 academic writing tutor.
- One-on-one session supervisor for students with specific learning/study issues/concerns.
School of Geographical & Earth Sciences
- Level 3/4 Geography: seminar co-leading and honors options guest lecturing (glacial/sedimentology/palaeoclimatology), fieldcourse student project supervisor (Mallorca, environmental).
- Level 2 physical Geography: tutoring and tutorial development (fluvial geomorphology/landscape evolution), lab development & leading (sedimentology), fieldcourse leading (Wales, geomorphology).
- Geography Summer School: lecturing, tutoring, field course co-leading (Scotland, physical Geography).
- Co-supervision: two Nuffield Foundation Science Bursary pupils performing laboratory experiments and three undergraduate students working on physical geography dissertation/earth science lab projects.
GK-12 Fellow at Purdue University (2014)
Co-teaching and leading 8th grade science class at Tecumseh Middle School, Lafayette. Development of two-period class (ICE-BITE LAB) merging personal research interests & Indiana state standard requirements (10 weeks).
Research datasets
2023
Rodriguez, P. C. , Geiger, A. and Ferri, L. (2023) ChileFjords18 Project: GIS database of glacial geomorphology between the Gran Campo Nevado and Estrecho de Magallanes, Chile. [Data Collection]
Additional information
Awards & Prizes
Junior Fellow at Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg Institute of Advanced Study (2017-18).
Best Presentation by an Early Career Scientist at XIX Argentine Geological Congress 2014, International Association of Cryospheric Sciences.
University Medal for best Geography student at Glasgow University 2010, Royal Scottish Geographical Society.
Committee Membership
Organising Committee for UK Science Meeting on "Quaternary of southern South America" (2014-15) with Dr. Darvill (Durham/BAS), Dr. Roland (Exeter) and Prof. Glasser (Aberystwyth). Held at Glasgow University 2-3rd of June 2015, see #QSSA15.
School of Geographical & Earth Sciences Athena SWAN Bronze Award Self-Assessment Team (2012-14).
Fieldwork experience
- Alfred-Wegener Institute Polarstern cruise (PS97-ANTXXXI/3) between southern South America & Antarctic Peninsula (7 weeks).
- 2x 2 month austral summer seasons in southern Patagonia on/surrounding Southern Patagonian Ice Field (49°S, 72-73°W) and Brunswick Peninsula, Chile (51°S, 73°W).
- 1x winter season in northern Patagonia, Argentina (41-42°S, 71°S; ca. 3 weeks).
- 1x summer season in SE and central Iceland (64°N, 18-19°W; ca. 7 weeks).
- 1x summer season northwestern Carpathian mountains, Romania (2 weeks).
Professional Background
2017-20 Post Doctoral Researcher, Institute of Geography, Pontificia Universidad Catolica, Chile
2017-18 Junior Fellow, HWK-Institute of Advanced Study, Germany
2016-17 Lecturer in Exogenic Processes (sabbatical cover), Dep. Earth & Environmental Sciences, LMU, Germany
2015-20 Honorary Research Associated, School of Geographical & Earth Sciences, GU
2010-15 Ph.D. School of Geographical & Earth Sciences, GU
2014 Visiting Scholar, Purdue University, U.S.A.
2010 Part-time Cosmogenic Nuclide Laboratory Technician, GU
2006-10 M.A. in Geography (Honours of 1st class), GU
2008-09 ERASMUS Exchange, University of Iceland, Iceland
2005 Abitur/European Baccalaureate, Munich, Germany
Affiliation
Quaternary Research Association
Royal Geographical Society with IBG
British Society for Geomorphology
APECS, ESWN, AGU, GSA
