Stagnation Glacier hydrologyThe hydrological characteristics of the glacier are dominated by longitudinal supraglacial streams cut into the surface by up to a few metres (there are no canyons on this glacier). In many places, this drainage is controlled by the foliation, which it follows for long stretches. Some streams have meandering reaches. Ice-marginal drainage shows up in a few areas, but tends to follow subglacial channels close to the ice margin. | |||
 Aerial view looking down over the middle reach of the glacier showing sinuous and meandering supraglacial streams, as well as foliation. |  Zooming in on the supraglacial streams where the ice surface begins to steepen. |  Looking up a supraglacial stream near the snout of the glacier. The stream is relatively straight, roughly parallel to foliation, but sinuous in detail. |  Looking down a similar supraglacial stream, but this roughly follows a medial moraine. |
 Close-up view of a meander in a supraglacial stream. Note how the fast-flowing water is elevated on the outside of the bend. |  A small irregular supraglacial stream flowing between a random collection of boulders. |  Where the glacier surface gradient steepens towards the snout, the streams become more deeply incised. |  Melt features, “cryoconite” holes, generated where fine sediment absorbs more radiation allowing the ice beneath to melt more quickly than clean ice. |
 Most supraglacial streams find their way to the edges of the glacier, where they flow alongside the ice or carve out subglacial tunnels. Looking downstream, this subglacial tunnel has a hole in the roof, allowing in sunlight. |  The same tunnel, looking upstream with meltwater dripping from the roof. |  The ice-marginal stream on the true left side of the glacier, with an ice-cored moraine to the left. |  The snout of the glacier, with a subglacial stream emerging. The angular material of the medial moraine contrasts with the well-sorted stream debris draping an area of dead ice. |
| Photos Michael Hambrey, July 2014 | |||