The Mechanics of Glacier Flow

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Author: Nye, J. F.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1952
• Subjects: Ice cap; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000033967; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000033967

Abstract The flow of valley glaciers is examined in the light of recent laboratory experiments on the behaviour of ice under load. Simple expressions are given for the velocity distributions in some cases of laminar flow, and the modification of a pure laminar flow theory necessary to explain the formation of transverse crevasses and thrust planes is considered. The paper ends with some remarks about the formation of crevasse patterns on the surfaces of glaciers. The statical equilibrium of a circular ice cap is discussed in an appendix.