Effect of a Basal Water Layer on the Dimensions of Ice Sheets

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Author: Weertman, J.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1966
• Subjects: Antarc*; Antarctica; Ice Sheet; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000019213; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000019213

Abstract The effect of a basal water layer on the equilibrium dimensions of an ice sheet is examined. A thick water layer can decrease the equilibrium thickness of an ice sheet such as covers Antarctica (which contains no significant ablational areas) by a factor of the order of 2. Similar large changes in the equilibrium dimensions occur for ice-age ice sheets (which have extensive ablation areas). The extent of the ablation area of an ice-age ice sheet which may be covered with morainal debris is also calculated.