The geomorphology of ice stream beds is critical for understanding the behaviour of ice streams as the formation of bedforms can be linked to the mechanism of ice streaming. Ice streams within the Icelandic Ice Sheet (IIS) have been proposed but limited studies exist on their configuration and dynamics. The aim of this project is to investigate the fingerprints of palaeo-ice streams in NE-Iceland with particular focus on streamlined subglacial bedforms (SSBs) in order to advance our understanding of the geomorphological imprint, configuration and dynamics of these palaeo-ice streams in time and space. This will be achieved by mapping and investigating glacial bedorms and sedimentary records in Þistilfjörður, Bakkaflói, Bakkaheiði, Vopnafjörður and Jökuldalsheiði areas through multiple glacial geological, geomorphological, and geophysical methods. The streamlined terrain preserves the flow sets of several cross-cutting palaeo-ice streams that were probably active during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and throughout the deglaciation.

Within the Vopnafjörður flow set in NE-Iceland, the internal architecture of two drumlins from the Bustarfell drumlin field has been studied by combining ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and sedimentological data. For the GPR data collection, 16 profiles were surveyed with 50 and 100 MHz antennas that penetrated down to a maximum depth of 16 m and 9 m, respectively. Between 5 and 7 generalized radar facies and surfaces have been identified to describe and interpret the surveyed profiles. Results from the lithostratigraphic logs indicate that the drumlins are composed of massive till beds, which show deformation structures and fissility and are sometimes separated by glaciofluvial material. The logs and the GPR profiles correlate relatively well in the upper part of the drumlins (< ~4 m depth) whereas continuous to discontinuous undulating reflectors in the lower part (> ~4 m depth) are not visible in the stratigraphic logs but might represent fluvial material that has undergone deformation. Post glacial sediment (< ~4 m depth) can be seen on the lateral flanks of the drumlins and occasionally on their lee side. Based on these findings, a preliminary hypothesis is that subglacial erosion, accretion and shear deformation contributed to the development of the drumlins under fluctuating pore-water pressures.

The study can provide an insight into the dynamics of palaeo-ice streams in Iceland as well as the development of the IIS during and following the LGM. Furthermore, the results are essential to constrain models for the formation of bedforms under fast flowing ice, and further contribute to the understanding of the linkage between ice stream development and climate change.