Ms Amanda Ferguson
PhD student

School of Geography
Queen Mary, University of London
Mile End Road
London E1 4NS
Tel: (+44) (0)207 882 5555 ext.4769
Fax: (+44) (0)207 882 6276

Email: a.ferguson@qmul.ac.uk

Research interests:

My research focuses on micro-scale deformation in subglacial and proglacial deposits. I use a combination of micromorphological techniques which include microscopic analysis of thin sections. To support this I also study the deposits at a macro-scale using sedimentological and geomorphological field observations.

PhD Research
Title: Polyphase deformation in subglacial and proglacial tills of the UK

Supervisors:
Prof. Jaap JM van der Meer (Queen Mary, University of London)
Dr. Emrys Phillips (British Geological Survey)
Dr. Simon Carr (Queen Mary, University of London)

Funding:
QMUL studentship and BGS


Micromorphological images in (A) plane polarised light and (B) annotated to illustrate micro-structures within till

Research Outline
Deformation occurs in both subglacial and proglacial deposits and is evident in a variety of structures including hydro-fractures, folds, faults and rotational features. Polyphase can relate to temporally separated phases of deformation or to the simultaneous different deformation styles caused by compositional differences, for example a clayey domain will react differently to the same stress as an adjacent sandy domain.

There has been little study on the relation between applied stresses and the microstructures that form within deformed subglacial and proglacial deposits. Glacier dynamics change seasonally, in addition they have a constant influx of material into the glacial bed, continually adapting as more material becomes incorporated into the glacial system. Thus deformation within both subglacial and proglacial deposits are determined by changes in there environment as well as by inconsistencies in their lithology and texture, which are both highly variable in terms of space and time. In addition the deformation intensity will determine the grain size, density, porosity and permeability. Thus an understanding of the micromorphology and the processes which laid down the sediments will allow us to determine the dynamics of the glacial system.

Research Aims

  • To describe micromorphological structures within glacial deposits and understand the affects lithology, mineralogy, water content and grain size have on them.
  • To improve knowledge of the structures that form during polyphase deformation, during both single and multiple phases of glaciations.
  • To differentiate between structures that formed in spatially and/or temporally variable polyphase deformation.
  • To apply rules established by microtectonics in metamorphic and cataclastic rocks, where studies are more advanced, to carry out a comparative study with structures formed during polyphase deformation.
  • Examine polyphase deformation in modern day glacial environments and apply them to processes occurring in past environments.

Background
MSc Quaternary Science; Pass with Merit, Royal Holloway, University of London
Dissertation- ‘An Investigation into the Sandy Diamicton of East Anglia’

BSc Physical Geography, 2:1 (Hons), Royal Holloway, University of London
Dissertation- ‘Early and Middle Pleistocene Stratigraphy of Aylsham, Norfolk, UK’

Memberships
British Society for Geomorphologists (http://www.geomorphology.org.uk)
European Geosciences Union (http://www.egu.eu/)
International Association of Sedimentologists (http://www.iasnet.org/)
Quaternary Research Association (http://qra.org.uk/)
Geological Society of America (http://www.geosociety.org/)
International Union for Quaternary Research (http://www.inqua.org/)

Funding and Awards
British Society for Geomorphologists - Postgraduate Research Grant
International Association of Sedimentologists  -Postgraduate Grant Scheme
Quaternary Research Association - New Research Workers’ Award
British Geological Society - Science Festival ‘Best Overall Poster’

 

Publications

Academic Publications:

  • Ferguson, A. and Lukas, S. 2009. European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2009, Quaternary Newsletter 120, 24-25, Report.
  • Ferguson, A. 2009. European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2009 Geophemera 107, 37, Report.
  • Ferguson, A. 2009. Micromorphological analysis of polyphase deformation in subglacial and proglacial tills, International Association of Sedimentologists Postgraduate Grant Scheme, 1st Session 2009, Report.

Peer-reviewed Publications:

  • Johnson, M.D., Schomacker, A., Benediktsson, I.O., Geiger, A.J., Ferguson, A. and Ingolfsson, O. 2010. Geology, 38, 943-946.
  • Phillips, E.R., Meer, J.J.M. van der, Ferguson, A., 2011. A new ‘microstructural mapping’ methodology for the identification, analysis and interpretation of polyphase deformation within subglacial sediments. Quaternary Science Reviews, in press.

Conference Presentations

  • Ferguson, A., van der Meer, J.J.M., Benediktsson, I.O., Schomaker, A., and Andersson, T. 2009. The sedimentological and glaciological relationships between tills, flutes and crevasse-fill ridges during a surge, Eyjabakkajokull, Iceland. In: Cold regions geomorphology: present landforms, past climate and geochronology, European Geosciences Union General Assembly. Vienna, Austria, 19-24th April 2009, Poster.
  • Ferguson, A., van der Meer, J.J.M., Benediktsson, I.O., Schomaker, A., and Andersson, T. 2009. The sedimentological and glaciological relationship between flutes and crevasse-fill ridges during a surge. In: Centre of Micromorphology Annual Symposium, Queen Mary University of London, England, 11th June 2009, Oral.
  • Ferguson, A. 2009. Subglacial to proglacial variations in till deformation. In: 8th International Postgraduate Symposium, Quaternary Research Association, Manchester University, England, 25-28 August 2009, Oral.
  • Ferguson, A. 2009. What is happening beneath the ice? Science Festival, British Geological Survey, Keyworth, England, 12th November 2009, Poster.
  • Ferguson, A., Phillips, E. and van der Meer, J.J.M. 2010. It’s all just a matter of scale- faults in glacial sediments. In: Centre of Micromorphology Annual Symposium, Royal Holloway University of London, 14th June 2010, Oral.
  • Ferguson, A. 2010. Polyphase deformation n subglacial and proglacial deposits of the UK. In: 9th International Postgraduate Symposium, Quaternary Research Association, Exeter University, England, 24-27 August 2010, Oral.
  • Ferguson, A., van der Meer, J.J.M. and Phillips, E. 2011. Polyphase deformation in Glacial Sediments. In: The ice/bed interface in past and present ice sheets and glaciers: subglacial processes, sediments, landforms, and ecosystems, International Union for Quaternary Research. Bern, Switzerland, 21-27th July 2011, Oral.
  • Ferguson, A., Phillips, E. and van der Meer, J.J.M. 2011. A new method for the recognition, description and analysis of clast microfabrics in glacial sediments. In: Recent advances in glacial landsystems, International Union for Quaternary Research. Bern, Switzerland, 21-27th July 2011, Poster.

Relevant Literature

  • Kilfeather, A.A., and van der Meer, J.J.M. 2008. Pore size, shape and connectivity in tills and their relationship to deformation processes. Quaternary Science Reviews. 27, 250-266.
  • van der Meer, J.J.M. 1993. Microscopic evidence of subglacial deformation. Quaternary Science Reviews. 12, 553-587.
  • van der Meer, J.J.M. 1997. Subglacial processes revealed by the microscope: particle and aggregate mobility in till. Quaternary Science Reviews. 16, 827-831.
  • van der Meer, J.J.M., Menzies, J., and Rose, J. 2003. Subglacial till: the deforming glacier bed. Quaternary Science Reviews. 22, 1659-1685.
  • Menzies, J., Meer, J.J.M. van der and Rose, J. 2006. Till – as a glacial “tectomict”, its internal architecture, and the development of a “typing” method for till differentiation. Geomorphology. 75, 172-200.
  • Phillips, E.R., Evans, D.J.A. and Auton, C.A. 2002. Polyphase deformation at an oscillating ice margin following the Loch Lomond Readvance, central Scotland, UK. Sedimentary Geology. 149, 157-182.
  • Phillips, E., Merritt, J., Auton, C. and Golledge, N., 2007. Microstructures in subglacial and proglacial sediments: understanding faults, folds and fabrics, and the influence of water on the style of deformation. Quaternary Science Reviews 26, 1499-1528.
  • Phillips, E.R., Meer, J.J.M. van der, Ferguson, A., 2011. A new ‘microstructural mapping’ methodology for the identification, analysis and interpretation of polyphase deformation within subglacial sediments. Quaternary Science Reviews, in press.