Dr John Hiemstra

Associate Professor

Geography

+44 (0) 1792 295143

j.hiemstra@swansea.ac.uk

Academic Office - 245
Second Floor
Wallace Building
Singleton Campus

Available For Postgraduate Supervision

Research Links

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3148-0206

ResearchGate

ResearcherID

About

John Hiemstra obtained his PhD degree from the University of Amsterdam (2001). His thesis was on the microscopic characterisation and interpretation of Antarctic continental shelf sediments. The objective was to study changes in the extent of the grounded ice sheet through time.

He was a Marie Curie postdoctoral researcher at the University of Glasgow (2002-2004). He currently holds a position as Associate Professor at Swansea University.

He teaches courses in Physical Geography and Geology, and is the coordinator of the MSc in Geographic Information and Climate Change. He supervises and has supervised several PhD students, and has examined both internally and externally.

His research focuses on the reconstruction of past glacial environments, and the study of more recent glacier and permafrost dynamics in response to changing climate. He has been involved in fieldwork in areas across the world, including the British Isles, Norway, Iceland, Canada, Morocco, Japan and Antarctica.

He has published extensively in leading international scientific journals and contributed to several books and field guides. He has reviewed for >25 journals, holds editorial positions with The Holocene, Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association and Scientific Reports, and is a member of the Quaternary Research Association Executive Board.

Areas Of Expertise

Glaciology
Till sedimentology and permafrost
Glacial and periglacial geomorphology
Quaternary Geology
Palaeogeography
Climate reconstruction
Micromorphology

Publications

Research Highlights

McCarroll, D., Stone, J., Ballantyne, C., Scourse, J., Fifield, L., Evans, D., & Hiemstra, J. (2010). Exposure-age constraints on the extent, timing and rate of retreat of the last Irish Sea ice stream. Quaternary Science Reviews, 29(15-16), 1844
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2010.04.002, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa1008
Owen, G., Hiemstra, J., MATTHEWS, J., & MCEWEN, L. (2010). Landslide-glacier interaction in a neoparaglacial setting at Tverrbytnede, Jotunheimen, Southern Norway. Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography, 92(4), 421
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0459.2010.00405.x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa1021
McEwen, L., Owen, G., Matthews, J., & Hiemstra, J. (2011). Late Holocene development of a Norwegian alpine alluvial fan affected by proximal glacier variations, episodic distal undercutting, and colluvial activity. Geomorphology, 127(3-4), 198-215.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2010.12.016, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa1023
Leighton, I., Hiemstra, J., & Weidemann, C. (2013). Recognition of micro-scale deformation structures in glacial sediments - pattern perception, observer bias and the influence of experience. Boreas, 42(2), n/a-469.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1502-3885.2011.00246.x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7049
http://cogsci.info/papers/LeightonEtAl2013.pdf
Hiemstra, J., Rijsdijk, K., Shakesby, R., McCarroll, D., & Shakesby, R. (2009). Reinterpreting Rotherslade, Gower Peninsula: implications for Last Glacial ice limits and Quaternary stratigraphy of the British Isles. Journal of Quaternary Science, 24(4), 399
https://doi.org/10.1002/jqs.1238, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7159

All Research

Journal Articles

Hallang, H., Los, S., & Hiemstra, J. (2022). Permafrost, thermal conditions and vegetation patterns since the mid-20^th century: A remote sensing approach applied to Jotunheimen, Norway. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment, 46(5), 716-736.
https://doi.org/10.1177/03091333221093756, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59990
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/03091333221093756
Hiemstra, J., Young, G., Loader, N., & Gordon, P. (2022). Interrogating glacier mass balance response to climatic change since the Little Ice Age: reconstructions for the Jotunheimen region, southern Norway. Boreas, 51(2), 350-363.
https://doi.org/10.1111/bor.12562, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58394
Hallang, H., Froyd, C., Hiemstra, J., & Los, S. (2022). Tree line shifts, changing vegetation assemblages and permafrost dynamics on Galdhøpiggen (Jotunheimen, Norway) over the past ~4400 years. The Holocene, 32(4), 308-320.
https://doi.org/10.1177/09596836211066591, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59122
Hammock, C., Kulessa, B., Hiemstra, J., Hodson, A., & Hubbard, A. (2022). Seismic and Electrical Geophysical Characterization of an Incipient Coastal Open‐System Pingo: Lagoon Pingo, Svalbard. Earth and Space Science, 9(3)
https://doi.org/10.1029/2021ea002093, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59058
Hallang, H., Hiemstra, J., Los, S., Matthews, J., & Froyd, C. (2020). Carbon dioxide emissions from periglacial patterned ground under changing permafrost conditions and shrub encroachment in an alpine landscape, Jotunheimen, Norway. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, 31(4), 524-537.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.2078, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54383
https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp.2078
Blauvelt, D., Russell, A., Large, A., Tweed, F., Hiemstra, J., Kulessa, B., Evans, D., & Waller, R. (2020). Controls on jökulhlaup-transported buried ice melt-out at Skeiðarársandur, Iceland: Implications for the evolution of ice-marginal environments. Geomorphology, 360, 107164
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2020.107164, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53839
Matthews, J., Haselberger, S., Hill, J., Owen, G., Winkler, S., Hiemstra, J., & Hallang, H. (2020). Snow-avalanche boulder fans in Jotunheimen, southern Norway: Schmidt-hammer exposure-age dating, geomorphometrics, dynamics and evolution. Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography, 102(2), 118-140.
https://doi.org/10.1080/04353676.2020.1762365, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53840
Matthews, J., Wilson, P., Winkler, S., Mourne, R., Hill, J., Owen, G., Hiemstra, J., Hallang, H., & Geary, A. (2019). Age and development of active cryoplanation terraces in the alpine permafrost zone at Svartkampan, Jotunheimen, southern Norway. Quaternary Research, 1-24.
https://doi.org/10.1017/qua.2019.41, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa51099
Dyke, L., Hughes, A., Andresen, C., Murray, T., Hiemstra, J., Bjørk, A., & Rodés, Á. (2018). The deglaciation of coastal areas of southeast Greenland. The Holocene, 28(9), 1535-1544.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0959683618777067, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa39904
Evans, D., Roberts, D., Hiemstra, J., Nye, K., Wright, H., & Steer, A. (2018). Submarginal debris transport and till formation in active temperate glacier systems: The southeast Iceland type locality. Quaternary Science Reviews, 195, 72-108.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2018.07.002, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa41056
Hiemstra, J. (2018). Permafrost and environmental dynamics: A virtual issue of The Holocene. The Holocene, 28(8), 1201-1204.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0959683618785835, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa41057
Shakesby, R., Hiemstra, J., Kulessa, B., & Luckman, A. (2018). Re-assessment of the age and depositional origin of the Paviland Moraine, Gower, south Wales, UK. Boreas, 47(2), 577-592.
https://doi.org/10.1111/bor.12294, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa36295
Carr, S., Hiemstra, J., & Owen, G. (2017). Landscape evolution of Lundy Island: challenging the proposed MIS 3 glaciation of SW Britain. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 128(5-6), 722-741.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pgeola.2017.06.005, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa34574
Dyke, L., Andresen, C., Seidenkrantz, M., Hughes, A., Hiemstra, J., Murray, T., Bjørk, A., Sutherland, D., & Vermassen, F. (2017). Minimal Holocene retreat of large tidewater glaciers in Køge Bugt, southeast Greenland. Scientific Reports, 7(1)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-12018-x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa35165
Smedley, R., Scourse, J., Small, D., Hiemstra, J., Duller, G., Bateman, M., Burke, M., Chiverrell, R., Clark, C., Davies, S., Fabel, D., Gheorghiu, D., McCarroll, D., Medialdea, A., Xu, S., McCarroll, D., Davies, S., & Hiemstra, J. (2017). New age constraints for the limit of the British-Irish Ice Sheet on the Isles of Scilly. Journal of Quaternary Science, 32(1), 48-62.
https://doi.org/10.1002/jqs.2922, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa31716
Hogan, K., Cofaigh, C., Jennings, A., Dowdeswell, J., & Hiemstra, J. (2016). Deglaciation of a major palaeo-ice stream in Disko Trough, West Greenland. Quaternary Science Reviews, 147, 5-26.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2016.01.018, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa26942
Hiemstra, J., Matthews, J., Evans, D., & Owen, G. (2015). Sediment fingerprinting and the mode of formation of singular and composite annual moraine ridges at two glacier margins, Jotunheimen, southern Norway. The Holocene, 25(11), 1772-1785.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0959683615591359, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa22230
Hiemstra, J., Shakesby, R., & Vieli, A. (2015). Late Quaternary glaciation in the Hebrides sector of the continental shelf: was St Kilda overrun by the British-Irish Ice Sheet?. Boreas, 44(1), 178-196.
https://doi.org/10.1111/bor.12097, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20707
Dyke, L., Hughes, A., Murray, T., Hiemstra, J., Andresen, C., & Rodés, Á. (2014). Evidence for the asynchronous retreat of large outlet glaciers in southeast Greenland at the end of the last glaciation. Quaternary Science Reviews, 99, 244-259.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2014.06.001, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20706
Evans, D., Hiemstra, J., Boston, C., Leighton, I., Cofaigh, C., & Rea, B. (2013). Reply to John Shaw “Correspondence – Alberta flow paths: a need for balance”. Quaternary Science Reviews, 63-148.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2012.12.011, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa15239
Carr, S., Hiemstra, J., & Hiemstra, J. (2013). Sedimentary evidence against a local ice-cap on the Shetland Isles at the Last Glacial Maximum. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 124(3)-502.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pgeola.2012.10.006, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa15240
Cofaigh, C., Dowdeswell, J., Jennings, A., Hogan, K., Kilfeather, A., Hiemstra, J., Noormets, R., Evans, J., McCarthy, D., Andrews, J., Lloyd, J., Moros, M., & Hiemstra, J. (2013). An extensive and dynamic ice sheet on the West Greenland shelf during the last glacial cycle. Geology, 41(2), 219-222.
https://doi.org/10.1130/G33759.1, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa13594
Leighton, I., Hiemstra, J., & Weidemann, C. (2013). Recognition of micro-scale deformation structures in glacial sediments - pattern perception, observer bias and the influence of experience. Boreas, 42(2), n/a-469.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1502-3885.2011.00246.x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7049
http://cogsci.info/papers/LeightonEtAl2013.pdf
Evans, D., Hiemstra, J., & Cofaigh, C. (2012). Stratigraphic architecture and sedimentology of a Late Pleistocene subaqueous moraine complex, southwest Ireland. Journal of Quaternary Science, 27(1), 51-63.
https://doi.org/10.1002/jqs.1513, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7608
Evans, D., Hiemstra, J., Boston, C., Leighton, I., Cofaigh, C., & Rea, B. (2012). Till stratigraphy and sedimentology at the margins of terrestrially terminating ice streams: case study of the western Canadian prairies and high plains. Quaternary Science Reviews, 46, 80-125.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2012.04.028, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa13593
McEwen, L., Owen, G., Matthews, J., & Hiemstra, J. (2011). Late Holocene development of a Norwegian alpine alluvial fan affected by proximal glacier variations, episodic distal undercutting, and colluvial activity. Geomorphology, 127(3-4), 198-215.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2010.12.016, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa1023
B.T.I., R., R.D., L., C.D., H., Murray, T., J.F., H., A.D., B., & Hiemstra, J. (2011). Streaming flow of an Antarctic palaeo-ice stream by both basal sliding and deformation of substrate.. Journal of Glaciology, 57(204), 596-608.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa15249
COFAIGH, C., EVANS, D., & Hiemstra, J. (2011). Formation of a stratified subglacial ‘till’ assemblage by ice-marginal thrusting and glacier overriding. Boreas, 40(1), 1-14.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1502-3885.2010.00177.x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa981
REINARDY, B., Hiemstra, J., Murray, T., HILLENBRAND, C., & LARTER, R. (2011). Till genesis at the bed of an Antarctic Peninsula palaeo-ice stream as indicated by micromorphological analysis. Boreas, 40(3), 498-517.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1502-3885.2010.00199.x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa984
Hiemstra, J., Kulessa, B., King, E., & Ntarlagiannis, D. (2011). The use of integrated sedimentological and geophysical methods in drumlin research - a case study of Pigeon Point, Clew Bay, Northwest Ireland. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 36(14), 1860-1871.
https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.2207, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7607
McCarroll, D., Stone, J., Ballantyne, C., Scourse, J., Fifield, L., Evans, D., & Hiemstra, J. (2010). Exposure-age constraints on the extent, timing and rate of retreat of the last Irish Sea ice stream. Quaternary Science Reviews, 29(15-16), 1844
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2010.04.002, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa1008
Owen, G., Hiemstra, J., MATTHEWS, J., & MCEWEN, L. (2010). Landslide-glacier interaction in a neoparaglacial setting at Tverrbytnede, Jotunheimen, Southern Norway. Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography, 92(4), 421
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0459.2010.00405.x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa1021
Hiemstra, J., Rijsdijk, K., Shakesby, R., McCarroll, D., & Shakesby, R. (2009). Reinterpreting Rotherslade, Gower Peninsula: implications for Last Glacial ice limits and Quaternary stratigraphy of the British Isles. Journal of Quaternary Science, 24(4), 399
https://doi.org/10.1002/jqs.1238, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa7159
Hiemstra, J., RIJSDIJK, K., EVANS, D., & MEER, J. (2008). Integrated micro- and macro-scale analyses of Last Glacial Maximum Irish Sea Diamicts from Abermawr and Traeth y Mwnt, Wales, UK. Boreas, 34(1), 61-74.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1502-3885.2005.tb01005.x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20713
O Cofaigh, C., D.J.A., E., J.F., H., & Hiemstra, J. (2008). Till sedimentology and stratigraphy on the Dingle Peninsula, south-west Ireland: implications for Late Quaternary regional ice flow patterns.. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 119(2), 137-152.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa15250
Hiemstra, J., Evans, D., & Cofaigh, C. (2007). The role of glacitectonic rafting and comminution in the production of subglacial tills: examples from southwest Ireland and Antarctica. Boreas, 36(4)-399.
https://doi.org/10.1080/03009480701213521, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa15244
EVANS, D., Hiemstra, J., & O'COFAIGH, C. (2007). AN ASSESSMENT OF CLAST MACROFABRICS IN GLACIGENIC SEDIMENTS BASED ON A/B PLANE DATA. Geografiska Annaler, Series A: Physical Geography, 89(2)-120.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0459.2007.00311.x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa15245
Evans, D., Phillips, E., Hiemstra, J., Auton, C., & Hiemstra, J. (2006). Subglacial till: Formation, sedimentary characteristics and classification. Earth-Science Reviews, 78(1-2)-176.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2006.04.001, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa15246
Evans, D., Rea, B., Hiemstra, J., & Cofaigh, C. (2006). A critical assessment of subglacial mega-floods: a case study of glacial sediments and landforms in south-central Alberta, Canada. Quaternary Science Reviews, 25(13-14)-1667.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2005.12.007, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa15247
Hiemstra, J., Evans, D., Scourse, J., McCarroll, D., Furze, M., & Rhodes, E. (2006). New evidence for a grounded Irish Sea glaciation of the Isles of Scilly, UK. Quaternary Science Reviews, 25(3-4)-309.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2005.01.013, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa15248
Evans, D. & Hiemstra, J. (2005). Till deposition by glacier submarginal, incremental thickening. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 30(13), 1633-1662.
https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.1224, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20711
Ó Cofaigh, C., Dowdeswell, J., Allen, C., Hiemstra, J., Pudsey, C., Evans, J., & J.A. Evans, D. (2005). Flow dynamics and till genesis associated with a marine-based Antarctic palaeo-ice stream. Quaternary Science Reviews, 24(5-6), 709-740.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2004.10.006, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20708
Hiemstra, J., Zaniewski, K., Powell, R., Cowan, E., & Hiemstra, J. (2004). Strain Signatures of Fjord Sediment Sliding: Micro-Scale Examples from Yakutat Bay and Glacier Bay, Alaska, U.S.A.. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 74(6), 760-769.
https://doi.org/10.1306/040504740760, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20718
Hiemstra, J. & Rijsdijk, K. (2003). Observing artificially induced strain: implications for subglacial deformation. Journal of Quaternary Science, 18(5), 373-383.
https://doi.org/10.1002/jqs.769, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20709
Wilson, G., Barron, J., Ashworth, A., Askin, R., Carter, J., Curren, M., Dalhuisen, D., Friedmann, E., Fyodorov-Davidov, D., Gilichinsky, D., Harper, M., Harwood, D., Hiemstra, J., Janecek, T., Licht, K., Ostroumov, V., Powell, R., Rivkina, E., Rose, S...., & Hiemstra, J. (2002). The Mount Feather Diamicton of the Sirius Group: an accumulation of indicators of Neogene Antarctic glacial and climatic history. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 182(1-2), 117-131.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-0182(01)00455-2, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20712
Hiemstra, J. (2001). Microscopic Analyses of Quaternary Glacigenic Sediments of Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula. Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research, 33(3), 258-265.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20714
Hiemstra, J. (1999). Microscopic evidence of grounded ice in the sediments of the CIROS-1 core, McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Terra Antartica, 6(4), 365-376.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20716
van der Meer, J. & Hiemstra, J. (1998). The nature and history of Antarctic glaciation. Circumpolar Journal, 12, 23-23.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20720
van der Meer, J. & Hiemstra, J. (1998). Micromorphology of Miocene diamicts, indications of grounded ice. Terra Antartica, 5(3), 363-366.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20715
Hiemstra, J. & van der Meer, J. (1997). Pore-water controlled grain fracturing as an indicator for subglacial shearing in tills. Journal of Glaciology, 43(145), 446-454.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20710
van der Meer, J., Hiemstra, J., & Zaniewski, K. (1996). Extent of the grounded Antarctic ice sheet in space and time. Circumpolar Journal, 11, 72-74.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20721

Book Chapters

Hiemstra, J. & Phillips, E. (2023). Micromorphology of glacial sediments. Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences Elsevier
https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-323-99931-1.00009-x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa62280

Supervision

Untitled (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Bjornar Sandnes
Integrated Geophysical Investigations of a Methane Releasing Pingo in a Changing Permafrost Environment, Svalbard (awarded 2023)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof Bernd Kulessa

Taught Modules

EG-2000 Geomechanics I

Geomechanics is the study of the mechanical behaviour of geological material, namely rocks and soils. The understanding of these concepts is crucial owing to the importance of these materials in the stability of supported structures. This 20 credit module, spanning both TB1 and TB2, introduces the fundamental theory associated with the mechanical properties of both forms of geological material. On completion of this module, the student will be prepared to look at further advanced topics in Geomechanics II.
GEC252L Geographical Fieldwork Skills: Local

Nod y modiwl yw ennill profiad o'r sgiliau daearyddol y mae eu hangen i archwilio'r amgylcheddau daearyddiaeth ffisegol a dynol o'n cwmpas. Defnyddiwn ein hasedau daearyddol lleol a rhanbarthol sylweddol i archwilio nifer o themâu ym maes daearyddiaeth ddynol a ffisegol. Y nodau cyffredinol yw nodi, dadansoddi a meithrin dealltwriaeth o'r dirwedd ddaearyddol amrywiol a¿r nodweddion cynhenid yn Abertawe a de Cymru. Mae'r modiwl yn cynnwys hyd at 10 niwrnod maes 'dewis a dethol', gyda thema daearyddiaeth ddynol, daearyddiaeth ffisegol neu ddaearyddiaeth ddynol a ffisegol. Gofynnir i fyfyrwyr ddewis mynd i 4 o'r diwrnodau maes. Bydd myfyrwyr sy¿n dilyn y modiwl hwn yn ennill profiad mewn dylunio ymchwil, methodolegau, dadansoddi data a dulliau cyflwyno. Gall myfyrwyr sy'n dilyn y cwrs maes hwn ddewis canolbwyntio ar naill ai elfennau daearyddiaeth ffisegol neu ddynol neu'r diwrnodau dynol/ffisegol cymysg, neu gymysgedd o'r tri. Mae'r cwrs yn hyblyg iawn o ganlyniad i'r ystod o bynciau y gallwn eu harchwilio yn yr ardal leol a rhanbarthol. Bydd deunyddiau darlith a deunyddiau ar-lein yn ategu pob diwrnod maes. Cynhelir y diwrnodau ar adegau gwahanol yn ystod y Semester a'r myfyrwyr eu hunain fydd yn cadw eu lle ar y diwrnodau maes o'u dewis. Thema'r daith yw "De Cymru: Amgylcheddau, Tirweddau, Treftadaeth a Chymuned". The module is concerned with gaining experience of the geographical skills needed to explore the physical and human geography environments around us. We use our considerable local and regional geographical assets to explore multiple themes in human and physical geography. The general aims are to observe, analyse and achieve an understanding of the varied geographical landscape and inherent features in Swansea and South Wales. The module is run via up to 10 'pick and mix' field days, with a human, physical or human and physical geography theme. Students will be required to chose 4 of the field days to attend. Students taking this module will gain experience in research design, methodologies, data analysis and presentation methods. Students taking this field course can choose to focus on either the physical or human geography elements or the mixed human/physical days, or a mix of all three. Maximum flexibility is afforded by the range of topics we can explore in the local and regional area. Each day will be accompanied by online and lecture materials. The days will be run at various times in the Semester and students will book on to their chosen field days independently. The theme of the trip is "South Wales: Environments, Landscapes, Heritage and Community".
GECM06B Traethawd Hir Geographic Information and Climate Change

Mae'r modiwl hwn yn cynnig y cyfle i ymgymryd â phrosiect ymchwil unigol mawr ym maes Dynameg Amgylcheddol a Newid yn yr Hinsawdd. Darperir cymorth gan oruchwyliwr staff a thrwy drafodaethau dan arweiniad myfyrwyr. Bydd hefyd gyfle i roi adborth adeiladol i fyfyrwyr eraill sy¿n gwneud prosiectau ymchwil cysylltiedig, gan ddysgu o'u problemau ymchwil a¿u hatebion dilynol nhw (drwy Fodiwl Llunio Traethawd Hir). Bydd canlyniadau ymchwil dros dro'n cael eu cyfleu ar lafar (ym mis Gorffennaf a mis Awst). Bydd canlyniadau terfynol y traethawd hir yn cael eu cyflwyno fel papur gwyddonol ar gyfer cyfnodolyn rhyngwladol blaenllaw yn yr un maes ymchwil.
GEG133 Natural Hazards and Society

This module investigates hazardous aspects of Earth¿s natural environment and how society relates to them. Introductory principles include the definition of natural hazard, disaster, risk and loss, and approaches to reducing risk and managing disasters. Major types of natural hazard are studied in order to understand how they operate, where, and how frequently they are likely to occur. Hazardous consequences are explored, as well as how society can respond to hazardous events. Key aspects include discussion of primary and secondary hazards, prediction, forecasting and monitoring of hazards, and understanding how their harmful effects can be minimised. Natural hazards considered during this module include volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires, landslides, extreme weather events, flooding, avalanches and Mega Hazards. Lecture material considers general principles as well as case studies. The module is compulsory for students taking BSc Environmental Geoscience.
GEG277 Geographical Methods and Data Analysis

This core 20-credit module introduces a variety of physical and human geography methods, along with data analysis. The module builds upon student knowledge and covers research design, data collection and data analysis. Students are introduced to a range of lab and field techniques in physical and / or human geography along with statistical analysis. They gain experience in describing, interpreting and presenting the results.
GEG344 The Cryosphere in a Changing Climate

This module will provide you with the scientific basis to understand the physical behaviour of glacier ice in our changing climate. We will look at spatial scales ranging from individual ice crystals to continental-scale glaciation. The module core topics will include glacier mass balance, transformation of snow to ice, glacier hydrology, glacier dynamics, ice crystal structure and deformation, glacier sliding, deformation of glacial sediments, glacier flow instabilities and glacier surging. We will introduce example topics of current research interest. The module is assessed through examination, as well as group presentation on a seminar and a short individual report.
GEGM06B Geographic Information and Climate Change

This module offers the opportunity to undertake a major individual research project in the field of Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change/Geographic Information and Climate Change/Environmental Drone Remote Sensing. Support is provided by a staff supervisor and through GEGM06P (Dissertation Preparation Module). The Dissertation will be presented in the form of a scientific paper with supporting data.
GEGM06P Dissertation Preparation Module

This module introduces students to the MSc dissertation in Environmental Dynamics and Climate Change/Geographic Information and Climate Change/Environmental Drone Remote Sensing programmes. The module provides students with support in developing a research topic. Students are introduced to concepts of experimental design, research ethics, risk assessment, scientific writing, hypothesis testing and how to structure their dissertation. A laboratory induction and basic field skills will also be introduced. Students will be required to develop a topic for their dissertation and a plan for its realisation. Key milestones must be achieved throughout the module before students are permitted to start work on their dissertation research. Students who do not complete these milestones within the required timeframe and to a satisfactory standard will not be able to proceed directly to the dissertation module
GEGM07 Environmental Dynamics

This module aims to explain and understand past, present and potential future changes in the Earth's climate and environment. It provides a broad approach to environmental processes and dynamics operating on land, in the oceans and in the atmosphere on a global and regional scale. Emphasis is placed on the evidence available for reconstructing past environmental dynamics, the implications for present-day processes, future predictions and likely impacts.
GEGM21 Climate Change - Past, Present and Future

This module will examine the Earth's climate system, and the principal natural and anthropogenic forcing mechanisms controlling it. The detection and nature of recent environmental changes will be discussed within the context of the Earth's climate history . The tools and methods used to measure, predict and study climate changes will be introduced. This will include the fundamental structure of General Circulation Models and how these techniques may be employed in conjunction with instrumental and proxy data to study the climate of the past and to reduce uncertainty in future climate change projections.

Dr John Hiemstra

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Untitled (current)

Integrated Geophysical Investigations of a Methane Releasing Pingo in a Changing Permafrost Environment, Svalbard (awarded 2023)

Taught Modules

EG-2000 Geomechanics I

GEC252L Geographical Fieldwork Skills: Local

GECM06B Traethawd Hir Geographic Information and Climate Change

GEG133 Natural Hazards and Society

GEG277 Geographical Methods and Data Analysis

GEG344 The Cryosphere in a Changing Climate

GEGM06B Geographic Information and Climate Change

GEGM06P Dissertation Preparation Module

GEGM07 Environmental Dynamics

GEGM21 Climate Change - Past, Present and Future