Response to Comment on “Friction at the bed does not control fast glacier flow”

• Published in: Science
• Main Authors: Stearns, Leigh A., van der Veen, Cornelis
• Other Authors: National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2019
• Subjects: Multidisciplinary; glacier; Greenland
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.aau8375; https://syndication.highwire.org/content/doi/10.1126/science.aau8375

Minchew et al . take issue with our main conclusion that friction at the glacier bed does not control fast glacier flow. In this response, we further justify our methodology. We also point out that numerical studies referred to by Minchew et al . rely on inversions that are based on a sliding relation in which sliding speed is proportional to basal drag. Furthermore, observational studies referred to by Minchew et al . apply to glaciological settings that do not correspond to the terminal regions of Greenland outlet glaciers that we studied.