Creep Slump in Glacier Reservoirs—Theory and Experiment

Abstract Frequently the reservoir region of a cold surge-type glacier has a temperate base, while in a region surrounding the reservoir the base is cold. We analyse the slump process in such a reservoir region— that is, the process whereby material flows toward the lower end of the region and forms...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Glaciology
Main Author: Shoemaker, E. M.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1981
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Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000011436
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000011436
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Summary:Abstract Frequently the reservoir region of a cold surge-type glacier has a temperate base, while in a region surrounding the reservoir the base is cold. We analyse the slump process in such a reservoir region— that is, the process whereby material flows toward the lower end of the region and forms a critical wave profile there. The model agrees qualitatively with observations of Trapridge Glacier, Yukon Territory, Canada, which is currently experiencing a critical pre-surge condition. Calculations based on the model give good agreement with the surge cycle time of Rusty Glacier, Yukon Territory. Laboratory experiments show that a large-amplitude slump-induced wave profile forms prior to a surge. Experimental surges were produced with velocity increases of order one hundred.