Theory and Laboratory Observations of Naled Ice Growth

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Authors: Schohl, G. A., Ettema, R.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1986
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000015483; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000015483

Abstract Based on observations of naleds (also called aufeis or icings) grown in a refrigerated laboratory flume, a detailed, composite description of the processes associated with naled ice growth is presented. A spread length is derived that represents a mass balance between the water supplied to a naled’s surface and the ice that freezes on to the surface. Herein, this spread length is termed an equilibrium length. Guided by this concept of equilibrium length and the laboratory data, length- and time-scales applicable to the growth of two-dimensional naleds are proposed. These scales proved useful for normalizing the times and streamwise lengths that correspond to distinct phases of naled ice growth. It is observed that, even in a laboratory flume, naleds spread and thicken in a complex, layer-by-layer manner. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported laboratory study on naled ice growth. The descriptions and concepts presented herein should be useful to engineers concerned with the effects of naleds on engineering works, and of interest to those who are planning experiments on naleds.