Mathematical Model of a Three-Dimensional Non-Isothermal Glacier
A mathematical model is constructed for land glaciers with the thickness much less than the horizontal dimensions and radii of curvature of large bottom irregularities by means of the method of a thin boundary layer in dimensionless orthogonal coordinates. The dynamics are described by a statically...
| Published in: | Journal of Glaciology |
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| Main Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
1976
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000013708 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000013708 |
| Summary: | A mathematical model is constructed for land glaciers with the thickness much less than the horizontal dimensions and radii of curvature of large bottom irregularities by means of the method of a thin boundary layer in dimensionless orthogonal coordinates. The dynamics are described by a statically determinate system of equations, so the solution for stresses is found. For the general non-isothermal case the interrelated velocity and temperature distributions are calculated by means of the iteration of solutions for velocity and for temperature. Temperature distribution is determined by a parabolic equation with a small parameter at the senior derivative. Its solution is reduced to the solution of a system of recurrent non-uniform differential equations of the first order by means of a series expansion of the small parameter. A relatively thin conducting boundary layer adjoins the upper and lower surfaces of a glacier, playing the role of a temperature damper in the ablation area. For ice divides, the statically indeterminate problem is solved, so the result for stresses depends on the temperature distribution. |
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