Glacial lithofacies and stratigraphy

Reconstructing patterns of past glaciation is important because it provides the crucial link between glacial processes and history, ice masses, the wider Earth system and the applied properties of glaciated terrains. Achieving that initial first step of understanding glacial processes and history requires a detailed understanding of the geological and geomorphological records, and the placing of that understanding into a robust temporal and spatial model. Within this chapter, we explore the popular ‘lithofacies’ approach to recording and interpreting the sedimentary record for glaciation. We also examine the range of key stratigraphic techniques that can be utilized to provide a spatial and temporal framework for glaciation.