INTRODUCTION TO GLACIAL LANDSYSTEMS

Land systems concept – popularized by Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization for mapping large spacely populated areas of Australia – 1940s

A recurring pattern of topography, soils and vegetation – part of land system

Preliminary stages of mapping – topography or geomorphology

Land system – divided into smaller components called units or facets and elements

Development history of terrain mapping:

Reference: Mabbutt, Mitchell, Ollier, king, Cooke & Doomkamp

Glacial Land systems

Mapping of Glacial Terrain – grouping of landforms according to common origin & age

Glacial stratigraphy (a landscape as a series of layer)
- a prerequisite for studing glacial geomorphology

3 main systems were identified

- Till plain Landsystem – subglacially deposited tills & drumlinized surface
- Glaciated valley landsystem – materials produced by melting glacier ice
- Fluvioglacial & ice-content deposit landform – landforms & sediments that are ice contact, fluvioglacial origin

For a Glaciated Valley Land system

Elements – individual landforms at large scale e.g., drumlins, flutings, eskers, kames, terraces, moraines
Units – features which constitute relatively homogenous tracts of land distinct from surrounding surface (e.g. drumlin/ fluting field)

GLACIAL SYSTEM

GLACIAL VALLEY SYSTEM

SUPRAGLACIAL LANDSYSTEM