The Creep of Ice Shelves: Interpretation of Observed Behaviour

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Author: Thomas, R. H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1973
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Ice Shelf; Ice Shelves; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s002214300002270x; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S002214300002270X

Abstract Available measurements of creep rates and dimensions of ice shelves are used, in conjunction with equations derived in a companion paper (Thomas, 1973), to evaluate the flow law parameters B and n for stresses down to 10 4 N m −2 . The results show good agreement with laboratory work at higher stresses. Adoption of these values of B and n enables us to examine the restraining effects on an ice shelf of obstructions such as areas of grounding.