A Slip-Line Field Analysis of the Deformation at the Confluence of two Glacier Streams

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Author: Collins, I. F.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1970
• Subjects: Earth-Surface Processes; Yukon; Canada; Kaskawulsh Glacier; glacier*; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000023510; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000023510

The deformation and state of stress at the confluence of two glacier streams are analysed using the techniques of slip-line theory. The valley walls are taken to be vertical parallel planes and the deformation is supposed independent of depth. The mechanical behavior of ice is modeled by the ideal rigid/perfectly plastic material. Detailed solutions are presented for the deformation at the confluence of one or more tributaries with a main stream and of two main streams. Attention is concentrated on predicting the number, position and magnitude of the bands of intense shear which emanate from some of the junction corners. The predictions of this idealized theory are compared with field data from a confluence on the Kaskawulsh Glacier, Yukon Territory, Canada.