A theory of ice-sheet surges
Abstract A simplified model of a two-dimensional ice sheet is described. It includes basal ice sliding dependent, on the basal water pressure, which itself is described by a simple theory of basal drainage. We show that this simple but sophisticated model predicts surges of the ice mass in realistic...
| Published in: | Journal of Glaciology |
|---|---|
| Main Authors: | , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
1998
|
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000002409 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000002409 |
| Summary: | Abstract A simplified model of a two-dimensional ice sheet is described. It includes basal ice sliding dependent, on the basal water pressure, which itself is described by a simple theory of basal drainage. We show that this simple but sophisticated model predicts surges of the ice mass in realistic circumstances, and we describe these surges by solving the problem numerically. We also are able to describe some parts of the surge analytically. The numerical solution of the model is a delicate matter, and highlights pitfalls to be avoided if more complicated models are to be solved successfully. |
|---|