Geomorphology of periglacial zone 1300-WGSP201

The lecture is devoted to geomorphology and geological processes in periglacial zone. After explanation of definition and history of the research the characteristic of recent polar environment is described. The main landforms in permafrost grounds are analysed, i.e. ice wedges, pingos, thuphures, rock glaciers. The most important processes are described, especially the frost weathering, thermokarst, solifluction. The characteristic of mountain periglacial zone is also presented. The important part of the subject is reconstruction of geological record of Pleistocene and Holocene periglacial phenomena in Poland. Examples from the Tatra Mts., the Holy Cross Mts. and the Polish Lowland are described.

Type of course

elective courses

Prerequisites (description)

(in Polish) Słuchacz powinien dysponować podstawową wiedzą z zakresu geomorfologii, stratygrafii czwartorzędu oraz geologii ogólnej. Pełniejsze zrozumienie prezentowanych zagadnień ułatwi wcześniejsze odbycie pełnego cyklu zajęć z: geomorfologii i geologii czwartorzędu oraz z geologii dynamicznej.

Course coordinators

Jan Dzierżek

Learning outcomes

After the classes students:
- describe environment of recent periglacial zone
- find differences between polar and mountain periglacial environments
- recognise the main periglacial featuraes in plains and in the slope surfaces
- explain the origin of pingos, thuphures, palsas and patterned grounds, ice wedges
- describe the most important geological processes which form landscape of polar and mountain regions
- know the role of permafrost in geological structures
- reconstruct Pleistocene periglacial environment recorded in sediments, rocks and relief of Polish Lowland and mountains.

Assessment criteria

List of presence, writing test.

Additional information

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 1300-WGSP201 in USOSweb