Dr Stephen Cornford

Research Highlights

1. Sutherland, J., Carrivick, J., Gandy, N., Shulmeister, J., Quincey, D., & Cornford, S. (2020). Proglacial Lakes Control Glacier Geometry and Behavior During Recession. Geophysical Research Letters, 47(19)

   https://doi.org/10.1029/2020gl088865, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56309
2. Selley, H., Hogg, A., Cornford, S., Dutrieux, P., Shepherd, A., Wuite, J., Floricioiu, D., Kusk, A., Nagler, T., Gilbert, L., Slater, T., & Kim, T. (2021). Widespread increase in dynamic imbalance in the Getz region of Antarctica from 1994 to 2018. Nature Communications, 12(1)

   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-21321-1, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56308
3. Cornford, S., Seroussi, H., Asay-Davis, X., Gudmundsson, G., Arthern, R., Borstad, C., Christmann, J., Santos, T., Feldmann, J., Goldberg, D., Hoffman, M., Humbert, A., Kleiner, T., Leguy, G., Lipscomb, W., Merino, N., Durand, G., Morlighem, M., Pollard, D...., & Yu, H. (2020). Results of the third Marine Ice Sheet Model Intercomparison Project (MISMIP+). The Cryosphere, 14(7), 2283-2301.

   https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-14-2283-2020, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54579
4. Martin, D., Cornford, S., & Payne, A. (2019). Millennial‐Scale Vulnerability of the Antarctic Ice Sheet to Regional Ice Shelf Collapse. Geophysical Research Letters, 46(3), 1467-1475.

   https://doi.org/10.1029/2018gl081229, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa48122

   https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/publications/millennial-scale-vulnerability-of-the-antarctic-ice-sheet-to-regi
5. Cornford, S., Martin, D., Lee, V., Payne, A., & Ng, E. (2016). Adaptive mesh refinement versus subgrid friction interpolation in simulations of Antarctic ice dynamics. Annals of Glaciology, 57(73), 1-9.

   https://doi.org/10.1017/aog.2016.13, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa32233
6. Cornford, S., Martin, D., Payne, A., Ng, E., Le Brocq, A., Gladstone, R., Edwards, T., Shannon, S., Agosta, C., van den Broeke, M., Hellmer, H., Krinner, G., Ligtenberg, S., Timmermann, R., Vaughan, D., & Cornford, S. (2015). Century-scale simulations of the response of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet to a warming climate. The Cryosphere, 9(4), 1579-1600.

   https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-9-1579-2015, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa32204
7. Cornford, S., Martin, D., Graves, D., Ranken, D., Le Brocq, A., Gladstone, R., Payne, A., Ng, E., & Lipscomb, W. (2013). Adaptive mesh, finite volume modeling of marine ice sheets. Journal of Computational Physics, 232(1), 529-549.

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcp.2012.08.037, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa32206
8. Sun, S., Cornford, S., Moore, J., Gladstone, R., & Zhao, L. (2017). Ice shelf fracture parameterization in an ice sheet model. The Cryosphere, 11(6), 2543-2554.

   https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-2543-2017, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa35935

All Research

• Bed properties and three-dimensional topography from radar at Rutford Ice Stream, West Antarctica (current)

  PhD

  Other supervisor: Prof Tavi Murray

• Stability of Antarctic Ice Shelves: Implications in terms of sea level rise (current)

  PhD

  Other supervisor: Prof Adrian Luckman

• Glaciological Dynamics of the Bryan Coast, West Antarctica (awarded 2021)

  MSc

  Other supervisor: Prof Adrian Luckman

• GEC100 Sgiliau Daearyddol

  Bwriad y modiwl hwn yw cyflwyno myfyrwyr i sgiliau daearyddol craidd. Bydd y sgiliau gwerthfawr yma yn cael eu meithrin trwy gydol eu gradd ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe. Dylai myfyrwyr sy'n dilyn y modiwl gallu defnyddio'r technegau hyn i ddehongli a dadansoddi data o amrywiaeth o amgylcheddau a chyd-destunau. Trafodwyd sgiliau cyflwyno megis defnydd tablau a chreu mapiau. (The aim of this module is to introduce the participants to essential geographical skills.These invaluable skills will become enhanced throughout their degree at Swansea University. Participants should be able to apply these techniques to data from a wide variety of environments and contexts. Presentation skills will be covered from the use of tables to the drawing of maps.)

• GEG100 Geographical skills

  The aim of this module is to introduce the participants to essential geographical skills.These invaluable skills will become enhanced throughout their degree at Swansea University. Participants should be able to apply these techniques to data from a wide variety of environments and contexts. Presentation skills will be covered from the use of tables to the drawing of maps.

• GEG132 Introduction to Earth Systems

  This module forms the essential foundation for any more advanced study of physical geography. It introduces the four main Earth systems: the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and geosphere. It provides a sound understanding of the processes within each system, and of the interactions between them. The atmosphere section deals with flows of energy and moisture and their role in controlling climate over both space and time. The hydrosphere section focuses on the concepts of the hydrological cycle and main processes associated with the water fluxes. The biosphere section deals mainly with flows of energy and nutrients between Earth systems. The geosphere section introduces topics like the origin of Earth, the concept of plate tectonics, describes the distribution of different rock types and processes occurring in geosphere. In addition main properties and functions of soil, formation of different soil types across the world and changes of climate in the past, current and the future, proxies of climate change are included.

• 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. Practical classes reinforce concepts learned in lectures.

• GEG252L Geographical Fieldwork Skills: Exploring Geographical Themes in Swansea and south Wales

  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".

• GEG252SI Geographical Fieldwork Skills: Isles of Scilly

  The module is concerned with identifying and defining climate and environment change questions within the Isle of Scilly, which serves as an example of a region with unique habitats and climate in the UK and applying relevant environmental and climate science skills, knowledge and techniques to these questions. The general aims are to observe, analyse and achieve an understanding of the varied micro-climates and habitat features of the Isle of Scilly. Students taking this module will gain experience in research design, methodologies, data analysis and presentation methods, including seminars, posters and reports. Students taking this field course focus on both climate change, sustainable living and the environment and conduct project work appropriate to their specialism. The module comprises preparatory sessions in Swansea during teaching block 2 and one week field course, which typically runs in the last week of teaching block 2.

• GEG277 Geographical Methods and Approaches

  This core 20 credit module introduces the variety of approaches to Human and Physical Geography that exist, providing an overview of the key methods used in the discipline. These paradigms will be introduced and then you are given the opportunity to 'think through' what kinds of methods chime with these geographical approaches. The module introduces key data methods and their theoretical roots, with an opportunity to 'practice' these key methods extended workshops - both desk based and in the field.

• GEG331 Dissertation Report: Geography

  The dissertation is an original, substantive and independent research project in an aspect of Geography. It is typically based on approximately 20 - 25 days of primary research and several weeks of analysis and write-up. The end result must be less than 7,500 words of text. The dissertation offers you the chance to follow your personal interests and to demonstrate your capabilities as a Geographer. During the course of your dissertation you will be supported by a student-led discussion group and a staff supervisor, and you will also provide constructive criticism to fellow students undertaking related research projects, learning from their research problems and subsequent solutions. This support and supervision is delivered through the 'Dissertation Support' module, which is a co-requisite.

• GEG344 The Cryosphere in a Changing Climate

  This module will provide you with the scientific basis to understand the physical behaviour of glacier ice 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, dynamics, ice crystal structure and deformation, glacier sliding, deformation of glacial sediments, glacier flow instabilities and glacier surging. We will then introduce example topics of current research interest. You will have the opportunity to work in a small group on a guided research project. The module is assessed through an individual paper critique and ¿take-home¿ examination, as well as group presentation of your research project results at a poster-based mini-conference, and as a report. The research project work will normally be assigned a group mark, however, individual student¿s marks may be moderated based on self and peer assessment.

• GEG347 Meteorology and Atmospheric Science

  This module provides a introduction to meteorology, weather, and atmospheric science. It covers both the study of weather and the underlying physical concepts. There are three major themes. The first part of the module concentrates on weather observation and forecasting applied the British Isles. The second part deals with the basic physics of the atmosphere, covering the motion and thermodynamics of air. The last part applied these concepts to weather phenomena, from the small scale: cloud and fog, thunderstorms and tornadoes; to the large scale: mid-latitude cyclones, tropical cyclones, monsoons, and the global circulation. The nature of meteorology means that this course involves ideas from physics with associated calculations, which are assessed. The majority of the physics and calculations correspond to roughly GCSE level, though with applications that may be new, and with a few more advanced concepts developed. Assessed calculations are based on GCSE Mathematics, but students with A-level Mathematics will be familiar with some additional concepts that they are free to use in their answers.