A Mathematical Model for Perched Block Formation

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Author: Patterson, E. A.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1984
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Bersærkerbræ; Greenland; glacier; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000006122; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000006122

Abstract A mathematical model for the formation of perched blocks on glaciers due to differential ablation is developed by considering energy balances. The model is applied to naturally positioned rocks on Bersærkerbræ, Greenland. The model predicts correctly whether a rock will perch or sink in eleven out of twelve cases. For artificially positioned small rocks of mean dimension 0.2 m, the model has a 53% success rate. The reduced performance is probably due to the thicknesses of the rocks being of similar magnitude to the range of relief of the glacier surface.