Glaciers and Moraines of the Mount Cook Region, New Zealand
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Field Excursion of the NOAA Panel on Abrupt Climate Change
January 2002
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The Mueller Glacier (covered by debris, foreground) is collapsing rapidly like most glaciers around the world;
clearly visible is the moraine marking its extent in the late 19th Century. In the background Lake Pukaki.
![]() Helicopters parked on a glacial moraine terrace running along the side of Whale Stream valley |
![]() Rewi Newnham explains pollen records obtained by drilling in Big Pakihi bog, Okarito (listening: Chris Hendy, Richard Alley, Markus Vandergoes) |
![]() Another beautiful glacier valley; the smooth slope on the left is a moraine left behind by a massive glacier |
![]() The dark curvy ridge running across the picture is the Waiho Loop moraine, dated to originate from the Younger Dryas cold event |
![]() Waiho beach, a typical New Zealand West Coast beach (Spot the helicopter... click to see enlarged section) |
![]() Braided rivers are typical for the high-erosion environment of the New Zealand alps |