Associate Professor Robert Storrar
Associate Professor of Glacial Geomorphology
Summary
Rob Storrar is an Associate Professor of Glacial Geomorphology. Rob is a glaciologist and glacial geomorphologist, specialising in modern and ancient glacial hydrology. Rob is also the Head of Research in the Department of the Natural and Built Environment.
About
Rob Storrar is an Associate Professor of Glacial Geomorphology. He a glaciologist and glacial geomorphologist working on glacial hydrology and the interactions between water and ice over a wide range of spatial (cm to 1000s km) and temporal (hours to millennia) scales. Rob applies a wide range of techniques to glacial environments around the world (and occasionally on Mars), from computer-based methods such as Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to field-based methods such as Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Rob is the Head of Research for the Department of the Natural and Built Environment.
Teaching
Department of the Natural and Built Environment
College of Social Sciences and Arts
Subject area
Geography, Environment and Planning
Courses taught
BSc Geography
I currently teach on the following modules
Glaciers and Glaciation, Iceland Field Trip, Past Environmental Change, Fluvial Geomorphology and Hydrology
Research
I am interested in glaciers, and the landscapes they leave behind, at a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. My research focuses predominantly on understanding the dynamics and hydrology of glacial systems, from contemporary individual Icelandic glaciers to the ancient continental ice sheets of the late Quaternary. In particular I am interested in the fluctuations of large ice sheets over millennial timescales and what controls their dynamism, especially the importance of meltwater. Understanding ancient systems can be used to predict how modern ice sheets might respond to a changing climate. I employ a combination of remote sensing, GIS and fieldwork methods.
Current research projects
3-dimensional properties of eskers in Finland
Glacial geomorphology of the Ladakh area, Indian Himalayas
GPR investigation of esker sediments in Ireland and Svalbard
Ice flow dynamics of Breiðamerkurjökull, SE Iceland
Modelling subglacial meltwater flow at Breiðamerkurjökull, SE Iceland
Subglacial meltwater drainage in northern Canada
Publications
Journal articles
Lally, A., Ruffell, A., Newton, A.M.W., Rea, B.R., Spagnolo, M., Storrar, R.D., ... Graham, C. (2024). Geomorphological signature of topographically controlled ice flow-switching at a glacier margin: Breiðamerkurjökull (Iceland) as a modern analogue for palaeo-ice sheets. Geomorphology, 454. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2024.109184
Walton, S., Storrar, R., Holmes, N., Bridge, J., Ewertowski, M., Tomczyk, A., & Jones, A. (2024). Post-little ice age glacial geomorphology of contrasting topographic settings at Skálafellsjökull, southeast Iceland. Journal of Maps, 20 (1). http://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2024.2329163
Rivers, G.E., Storrar, R.D., Jones, A.H., & Ojala, A.E.K. (2023). 3D morphometry of De Geer Moraines and Crevasse-Squeeze Ridges: Differentiating between pushing and squeezing mechanisms from remotely sensed data. Quaternary Science Reviews, 321. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2023.108383
Vérité, J., Livingstone, S.J., Ravier, E., McMartin, I., Campbell, J., Lewington, E.L.M., ... Storrar, R. (2023). Conceptual model for the formation of bedforms along subglacial meltwater corridors (SMCs) by variable ice‐water‐bed interactions. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. http://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5725
Lally, A., Ruffell, A., Newton, A.M.W., Rea, B.R., Kahlert, T., Storrar, R., ... Coleman, M. (2023). The evolution and preservation potential of englacial eskers: An example from Breiðamerkurjökull, SE Iceland. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. http://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5664
Butcher, F., Arnold, N., Balme, M., Conway, S., Clark, C., Gallagher, C., ... Woodley, S. (2023). Eskers Associated with Buried Glaciers in Mars’ Mid Latitudes: Recent Advances and Future Directions. Annals of Glaciology. http://doi.org/10.1017/aog.2023.7
Dewald, N., Lewington, E., Livingstone, S., Clark, C., & Storrar, R. (2021). Distribution, characteristics and formation of esker enlargements. Geomorphology, 392, 107919. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2021.107919
Stoker, B., Livingstone, S., Barr, I., Ruffell, A., Storrar, R., & Roberson, S. (2021). Variations in esker morphology and internal architecture record time-transgressive deposition during ice margin retreat in Northern Ireland. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.pgeola.2021.03.002
Butcher, F.E.G., Balme, M.R., Conway, S.J., Gallagher, C., Arnold, N.S., Storrar, R., ... Davis, J.M. (2020). Sinuous ridges in Chukhung crater, Tempe Terra, Mars: Implications for fluvial, glacial, and glaciofluvial activity. Icarus, 357, 114131. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2020.114131
Lewington, E.L.M., Livingstone, S.J., Clark, C.D., Sole, A.J., & Storrar, R. (2020). A model for interaction between conduits and surrounding hydraulically connected distributed drainage based on geomorphological evidence from Keewatin, Canada. Cryosphere, 14 (9), 2949-2976. http://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-2949-2020
Livingstone, S.J., Lewington, E.L.M., Clark, C.D., Storrar, R.D., Sole, A.J., McMartin, I., ... Ng, F. (2020). A quasi-annual record of time-transgressive esker formation: implicationsfor ice sheet reconstruction and subglacial hydrology. The Cryosphere, 14 (6). http://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1989-2020
Livingstone, S.J., Lewington, E.L.M., Clark, C.D., Storrar, R.D., Sole, A.J., McMartin, I., ... Ng, F. (2020). A quasi-annual record of time-transgressive esker formation: implicationsfor ice sheet reconstruction and subglacial hydrology. The Cryosphere, 14 (6). http://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-1989-2020
Butcher, F., Balme, M., Conway, S., Gallagher, C., Arnold, N., Storrar, R., ... Hagermann, A. (2020). Morphometry of a glacier-linked esker in NW Tempe Terra, Mars, and implications for sediment-discharge dynamics of subglacial drainage. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 542 (116325). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0012821X20302697
Storrar, R., Ewertowski, M., Tomczyk, A.M., Barr, I.D., Livingstone, S.J., Ruffell, A., ... Evans, D.J.A. (2020). Equifinality and preservation potential of complex eskers. Boreas, 49 (1). http://doi.org/10.1111/bor.12414
Livingstone, S.J., Sole, A.J., Storrar, R.D., Harrison, D., Ross, N., & Bowling, J. (2019). Brief Communication: Outburst floods triggered by periodic drainage of subglacial lakes, Isunguata Sermia, West Greenland. The Cryosphere, 13 (10), 2789-2796. http://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2019-137
Lovell, H., Livingstone, S., Boston, C., Booth, A., Storrar, R., & Barr, L. (2019). Complex kame belt morphology, stratigraphy and architecture. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 44 (13), 2685-2702. http://doi.org/10.1002/esp.4696
Chandler, B.M.P., Lovell, H., Boston, C.M., Lukas, S., Barr, I.D., Benediktsson, I.O., ... Stroeven, A.P. (2018). Glacial geomorphological mapping: A review of approaches and frameworks for best practice. Earth-Science Reviews, 185, 806-846. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2018.07.015
Swift, D.A., Cook, S.J., Graham, D.J., Midgley, N.G., Fallick, A.E., Storrar, R., ... Evans, D.J.A. (2018). Terminal zone glacial sediment transfer at a temperate overdeepened glacier system. Quaternary Science Reviews, 180 (180), 111-131. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2017.11.027
Storrar, R., Jones, A., & Evans, D.J.A. (2017). Small-scale topographically-controlled glacier flow switching in an expanding proglacial lake at Breiðamerkurjökull, SE Iceland. Journal of Glaciology, 745-750. http://doi.org/10.1017/jog.2017.22
Storrar, R., & Livingstone, S. (2017). Glacial geomorphology of the northern Kivalliq region, Nunavut, Canada, with an emphasis on meltwater drainage systems. Journal of Maps, 13 (2), 153-164. http://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2017.1279081
Evans, D.J.A., Storrar, R.D., & Rea, B.R. (2016). Crevasse-squeeze ridge corridors: Diagnostic features of late-stage palaeo-ice stream activity. Geomorphology, 258, 40-50. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2016.01.017
Hillier, J.K., Smith, M.J., Armugam, R., Barr, I., Boston, C.M., Clark, C.D., ... Wooldridge, K. (2015). Manual mapping of drumlins in synthetic landscapes to assess operator effectiveness. Journal of Maps, 11 (5), 719-729. http://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2014.957251
Livingstone, S.J., Storrar, R.D., Hillier, J.K., Stokes, C.R., Clark, C.D., & Tarasov, L. (2015). Ice-sheet scale comparison of modelled subglacial drainage pathways with mapped esker networks. Geomorphology, 246, 104-112. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2015.06.016
Storrar, R.D., Evans, D.J.A., Stokes, C.R., & Ewertowski, M. (2015). Controls on the location, morphology andevolution of complex esker systems at decadaltimescales, Breiðamerkurjökull, southeast Iceland. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 40 (11), 1421-1438. http://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3725
Storrar, R., Stokes, C.R., & Evans, D.J.A. (2014). Morphometry and pattern of a large sample (>20,000) of Canadian eskers: new insights regarding subglacial drainage beneath ice sheets. Quaternary Science Reviews, 105, 1-25. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2014.09.013
Storrar, R., Stokes, C.R., & Evans, D.J.A. (2014). Increased channelization of subglacial drainage during deglaciation of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. Geology, 42, 239-242. http://doi.org/10.1130/G35092.1
Storrar, R.D., Stokes, C.R., & Evans, D.J.A. (2013). A map of large Canadian eskers from Landsat satellite imagery. Journal of Maps, 9 (3), 456-473. http://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2013.815591
Stokes, C.R., Clark, C.D., & Storrar, R. (2009). Major changes in ice stream dynamics during deglaciation of the north-western margin of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. Quaternary Science Reviews, 28 (7-8), 721-738. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2008.07.019
Storrar, R., & Stokes, C.R. (2007). A glacial geomorphological map of victoria Island, Canadian Arctic. Journal of Maps, 3 (1), 191-210. http://doi.org/10.1080/jom.2007.9710838
Book chapters
Evans, D.J.A., Guðmundsson, S., & Storrar, R. (2018). Glacial landsystem development at Breiðamerkurjökull. In Glacial Landsystems of Southeast Iceland - Quaternary applications. QRA
Korteniemi, J., Russell, H.A.J., Sharpe, D.R., & Storrar, R. (2015). Esker. In Encyclopedia of Planetary Landforms. Springer