A simple model for the influence of push-morainal banks on the calving and stability of glacial tidewater termini
Abstract Push-morainal banks at the grounding lines of tidewater termini of temperate glaciers are the source of two types of restraining forces operating at the glacier terminus. Horizontal normal forces derive from the lateral support and transport of the bank of sediment at the terminus, whereas...
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Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press (CUP)
1998
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Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s002214300000232x https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S002214300000232X |
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crcambridgeupr:10.1017/s002214300000232x 2024-09-15T18:15:39+00:00 A simple model for the influence of push-morainal banks on the calving and stability of glacial tidewater termini Fischer, Mark P. Powell, Ross D. 1998 http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s002214300000232x https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S002214300000232X en eng Cambridge University Press (CUP) Journal of Glaciology volume 44, issue 146, page 31-41 ISSN 0022-1430 1727-5652 journal-article 1998 crcambridgeupr https://doi.org/10.1017/s002214300000232x 2024-07-31T04:04:10Z Abstract Push-morainal banks at the grounding lines of tidewater termini of temperate glaciers are the source of two types of restraining forces operating at the glacier terminus. Horizontal normal forces derive from the lateral support and transport of the bank of sediment at the terminus, whereas a horizontal shear force operates along the base of a bank pushed in front of an advancing glacier. The simple model we present suggests that bank-related restraining forces are significantly larger than the restraining force derived from the hydrostatic pressure of water adjacent to the submerged terminus of a glacier. During glacier advance, restraining forces continually increase, resulting in decreasing flow rates, glacier thickening and the eventual cessation of advance. During retreat, restraining forces continually decrease, resulting in increasing flow rates, glacier thinning and the potential for unstable, rapid, sustained retreat. The normal, seasonal, oscillatory advance retreat cycle of a glacier is moderated by restraining forces associated with push moraines. Unstable retreat is likely initiated when bank-related restraining forces fall below some threshold value during the seasonal retreat cycle. Calving is not a primary cause of glacier retreat, but is more likely a short-term response to increased flow rates. Increased flow rates result in glacier thinning and an approach toward buoyancy, both of which fluctuate seasonally in accordance with bank-related restraining forces. Article in Journal/Newspaper Journal of Glaciology Tidewater Cambridge University Press Journal of Glaciology 44 146 31 41 |
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Open Polar |
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Cambridge University Press |
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crcambridgeupr |
language |
English |
description |
Abstract Push-morainal banks at the grounding lines of tidewater termini of temperate glaciers are the source of two types of restraining forces operating at the glacier terminus. Horizontal normal forces derive from the lateral support and transport of the bank of sediment at the terminus, whereas a horizontal shear force operates along the base of a bank pushed in front of an advancing glacier. The simple model we present suggests that bank-related restraining forces are significantly larger than the restraining force derived from the hydrostatic pressure of water adjacent to the submerged terminus of a glacier. During glacier advance, restraining forces continually increase, resulting in decreasing flow rates, glacier thickening and the eventual cessation of advance. During retreat, restraining forces continually decrease, resulting in increasing flow rates, glacier thinning and the potential for unstable, rapid, sustained retreat. The normal, seasonal, oscillatory advance retreat cycle of a glacier is moderated by restraining forces associated with push moraines. Unstable retreat is likely initiated when bank-related restraining forces fall below some threshold value during the seasonal retreat cycle. Calving is not a primary cause of glacier retreat, but is more likely a short-term response to increased flow rates. Increased flow rates result in glacier thinning and an approach toward buoyancy, both of which fluctuate seasonally in accordance with bank-related restraining forces. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Fischer, Mark P. Powell, Ross D. |
spellingShingle |
Fischer, Mark P. Powell, Ross D. A simple model for the influence of push-morainal banks on the calving and stability of glacial tidewater termini |
author_facet |
Fischer, Mark P. Powell, Ross D. |
author_sort |
Fischer, Mark P. |
title |
A simple model for the influence of push-morainal banks on the calving and stability of glacial tidewater termini |
title_short |
A simple model for the influence of push-morainal banks on the calving and stability of glacial tidewater termini |
title_full |
A simple model for the influence of push-morainal banks on the calving and stability of glacial tidewater termini |
title_fullStr |
A simple model for the influence of push-morainal banks on the calving and stability of glacial tidewater termini |
title_full_unstemmed |
A simple model for the influence of push-morainal banks on the calving and stability of glacial tidewater termini |
title_sort |
simple model for the influence of push-morainal banks on the calving and stability of glacial tidewater termini |
publisher |
Cambridge University Press (CUP) |
publishDate |
1998 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s002214300000232x https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S002214300000232X |
genre |
Journal of Glaciology Tidewater |
genre_facet |
Journal of Glaciology Tidewater |
op_source |
Journal of Glaciology volume 44, issue 146, page 31-41 ISSN 0022-1430 1727-5652 |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1017/s002214300000232x |
container_title |
Journal of Glaciology |
container_volume |
44 |
container_issue |
146 |
container_start_page |
31 |
op_container_end_page |
41 |
_version_ |
1810453566984290304 |