Surface Contours and Flow Pattern of a Perfectly Plastic Three-Dimensional Ice Sheet With Arbitrary Bottom and Edge Topography

Abstract The differential equation determining the elevations of a perfectly plastic three-dimensional steady-state ice sheet is set up. Analytical solutions of the equation are obtained in two simple cases, viz. (1) an ice sheet on a horizontal base with an arbitrary curve as edge and (2) an ice sh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Glaciology
Main Author: Reeh, Niels
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1979
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000015185
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000015185
Description
Summary:Abstract The differential equation determining the elevations of a perfectly plastic three-dimensional steady-state ice sheet is set up. Analytical solutions of the equation are obtained in two simple cases, viz. (1) an ice sheet on a horizontal base with an arbitrary curve as edge and (2) an ice sheet ona plane but sloping bed, with an edge composed of straight-line segments. The solutions are discussed in particular with reference to the development of ice divides and ice streams.