The Royal Scottish Geographical Society

Reports from North American Expeditions

For further information and details of available documentation about any expedition listed below please click on the appropriate line: -

2001 - Tilman in a New Millennium (Year 2), Greenland and Bylot Island
2001 - Project Veracruz 2001, Mexico - University of Edinburgh *
2001 - Greenland 2001 *
1997 - Kananaskis, Alberta - Glasgow University Exploration Society *
1995 - North Alaska - University of Aberdeen *
1995 - Project Pineapple, Hawaii - University of Aberdeen *
1994 - Canadian Rockies - University of Aberdeen *
1992 - Greenland - Kingston University *
1990 - Yukon, Canada - British Schools Exploring Society *
1990 - North East Greenland Expedition - Bristol University *
1988 - Americas Expedition (see under Central America)
1986 - South West Greenland - Geological Expedition - Edinburgh University
1982 - East Greenland Expedition - University of Edinburgh
1981 - North Alaska Expedition - Grampian Schools *
1980 - Princess Marie Bay, Ellesmere Island, Northern Canada - Joint Services Expedition, 1980
1979 - West Greenland Expedition - University of Aberdeen *
1978 - Ikamiut, Greenland - St Andrews University *
1976-80 - Transglobe Expedition (see under Europe)
1976 - East Greenland Expedition - Edinburgh University
1975 - West Greenland Expedition - University of Aberdeen
1974 - West Greenland Expedition - University of Aberdeen *
1972 - Norway Expedition - University of Edinburgh *
1972 - Expedition Spitsbergen - University of Aberdeen *
1971-72 - The British Trans-Americas Expedition (see under Central America)
1971 - Mountaineering Expedition to South Greenland - University of St Andrews
1969 - International Mount Mikkelsen Expedition, Greenland - University of Dundee *

Expeditions supported by RSGS are indicated by an asterisk at the right-hand end of the heading *

Tilman in a New Millennium (Year 2), Greenland and Bylot Island - 2001

Documentation

Report of an expedition to Greenland and Bylot Island 2001 (7pp)

Project Veracruz 2001 *

Aims and Objectives

To investigate the following points on Acacia cornigera and Acacia mayana: -

When and how much nectar was secreted during the day;
Which leaves produced the Beltian bodies (How old are these leaves?);
When the ants harvested the Beltian bodies;
When and where the ants were most active on the tree.

Documentation

Report Summary (2pp) / by Gareth Scrivner ... [and others]

Greenland 2001 *

Aims

To investigate whether the pebble-sized debris in the stratified facies of the basal ice-layer could be sedimentologically distinguished from the debris bands at the Russell Glacier;
To investigate the effect which meteorological variables have upon the surface ablation of the Russell Glacier.

Documentation

Field Report (5pp) / by W.G. Adam and C.C. Bardwell

Kananaskis, Alberta - Glasgow University Exploration Society, 1997 *

Aims

To study the glacial and post-glacial environments, ranging from the production of post glacial erosion forms through to studies of periglacial processes, as well as environmental and biogeographical research; e.g.

Protalus ramparts and recent ice fluctuations in Kananaskis, Canada;
Glacitectonised Lake Sediments, Barrier Lake;
A comparison of Canadian and Scottish ski environments;
Abiotic factors affecting vegetation patterns in montane eco-regions.

Documentation

Report (40pp) / editors: Michael Gray & Louise Ryan

North Alaska - University of Aberdeen, 1995 *

Aims

To engage in adventurous travel and geographical fieldwork in the following topics: -

human geographical investigations focusing on the coastal Inupait community of Kaktovik;
glacial and periglacial geomorphological investigations in the Okpilak Valley;
environmental geographical investigations on the North Slope.

Documentation

Report (30pp) / editor: Ruaraidh N. O'Brien

Project Pineapple, Hawaii - University of Aberdeen, 1995 *

Aims

To carry-out scientific research of a geographical and volcanic nature;
To sample various aspects of Polynesian culture, and to give its members a chance to see pristine tropical rainforest and eco-systems, together with some of the world's most active volcanic systems in operation, within an overall geographical-based framework.

Documentation

Preliminary Report of the University of Aberdeen Expedition to Kilauea Crater, Hawaii, 1995 (5pp) / compiled by Louise Barnes

Canadian Rockies - University of Aberdeen, 1994 *

Aims

To acquire an understanding of past and present environmental change in the Rocky Mountains area of Alberta;
To investigate the importance of conservation in Banff National Park;
To attain experience of working as a team;
To explore the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Documentation

Expedition Report (28pp) / edited by Sue Finch

Greenland - Kingston University, 1992 *

Aims

To examine the extent to which the Leverett, Orkendalen and Isortoq proglacial outwash systems are dominated by high magnitude floods produced by the sudden drainage of ice-dammed lakes;
To assess the role of meltwater in the transfer of sediment to the proglacial zone in front of an active ice sheet.

Yukon, Canada - British Schools Exploring Society, 1990 *

Documentation

Report highlighting the experiences of British schoolchildren on scientific expedition in the Yukon.

North East Greenland Expedition - Bristol University, 1990 *

Objectives

measurement of atmospheric pollution;
glaciology study;
mountaineering.

South West Greenland - Geological Expedition - Edinburgh University, 1986

Documentation

Report on geological survey of Kungnat, Greenland.

East Greenland Expedition - University of Edinburgh, 1982

Project

6-man expedition undertaking geological research and mountaineering an unexplored part of East Greenland.

North Alaska Expedition - Grampian Schools, 1981 *

Aim

To give the participants the experience of living, travelling, and working in one of the world's last great wilderness areas, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the Brooks Range of North Alaska.

Documentation

Final Report (109pp - 2 copies) / editor: R.M.G. O'Brien

Princess Marie Bay, Ellesmere Island, Northern Canada - Joint Services Expedition, 1980 *

Aim

To make a scientific survey of a remote Arctic region, with an emphasis on biology.

Documentation

Report (various sectional pagings + map)

West Greenland Expedition - University of Aberdeen, 1979

Main Aims

Geomorphological research into the proglacial morphology and paleohydrology of some Holocene sandur deposits at the edge of the Greenland ice-sheet, as an aid both to determining the changes in ice-marginal hydrology during ice-sheet retreat, and to interpreting the origins of similar mid-latitude Pleistocene deposits;
Training young people to gain field experience and scientific expertise in isolated regions, both through team-work in organising and running a base-camp, and through undertaking minor research projects in the physical and human geography of West Greenland.

Documentation

Final Report (336pp) / edited by Judith K. Maizels.

Ikamiut, Greenland - St Andrews University, 1978 *

Objectives

Mountaineering, exploration, and geomorphological and geological studies.

Documentation

Report (71pp) / edited by John Thurman.

East Greenland Expedition - Edinburgh University, 1976

Documentation

Report on geological survey of the Northern Staunings Alps of East Greenland.

West Greenland Expedition - University of Aberdeen, 1975

Documentation

Reports on: -

The clay mineralogy of recent sediments from the Nordbboso-Eriks Fjord Meltwater system;
Beach Geomorphology;
Locational Aspects of some Viking Age farms;
Glacial investigations of the Qagssiarssuk region.

West Greenland Expedition - University of Aberdeen, 1974 *

Projects

An investigation of ice-scoured topography and its relationship to bedrock structure and ice movement;
An investigation of current landforms and processes at the margin of the Inland Ice and the patterns and processes of former deglaciation.

Documentation

Final Report (55pp) / edited by W.M. Murdoch and J.E. Gordon.

Norway Expedition - University of Edinburgh, 1972

Documentation

Final Report (116pp + 5 appendices - 2 copies) / editor: Gordon Clark.

Expedition Spitsbergen - University of Aberdeen, 1972 *

Documentation

Preliminary Report (15pp) / compiled by Chalmers M. Clapperton.

Mountaineering Expedition to South Greenland - University of St Andrews, 1971

Documentation

Report on 10-man mountaineering expedition to the area.

International Mount Mikkelsen Expedition, Greenland - University of Dundee, 1969 *

Aims

To ascend the Borg Tinde, thought to be the highest peak in the Mikkelsen Mountain area, and the highest unclimbed peak in the Arctic;
To use the coastal journey from Scoresby Sund to Grivel Bay to study the animals and plants of the region, particularly seeking the transition from High to Low Arctic;
To search for wreckage of de Blosseville's boat, the Lilloise;
To examine likely locations for evidence of traces of Eskimo inhabitation in response to a request by Eigil Knuth;
To collect samples of gas and water from hot springs for the Greenland Geological Survey, and seaweed samples for the Danish Atomic Energy Department. (The latter for the determination of background radiation and pollution);
To make a photographic record of the journey and the interior.

Documentation

Report (35pp) / edited by I.H.M. Smart.

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Latest revision on 16th January 2004 by Kerr Jamieson (RSGS Map and Photograph Curator)