Influence of glacier hydrology on the dynamics of a large Quaternary ice sheet

• Published in: Journal of Quaternary Science
• Main Authors: Arnold, Neil, Sharp, Martin
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 1992
• Subjects: Ice Sheet
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jqs.3390070204; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fjqs.3390070204; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/jqs.3390070204

Abstract The influence of glacier hydrology on the time‐dependent morphology and flow behaviour of the late Weichselian Scandinavian ice sheet is explored using a simple one‐dimensional ice sheet model. The model is driven by orbitally induced radiation variations, ice‐albedo feedback and eustatic sea‐level change. The influence of hydrology is most marked during deglaciation and on the southern side of the ice sheet, where a marginal zone of rapid sliding, thin ice and low surface slopes develops. Such a zone is absent when hydrology is omitted from the model, and its formation results in earlier and more rapid deglaciation than occurs in the no‐hydrology model. The final advance to the glacial maximum position results from an increase in the rate of basal sliding as climate warms after 23000 yr BP. Channelised subglacial drainage develops only episodically, and is associated with relatively low meltwater discharges and high hydraulic gradients. The predominance of iceberg calving as an ablation mechanism on the northern side of the ice sheet restricts the occurrence of surface melting. Lack of meltwater penetration to the glacier bed in this area means that ice flow is predominantly by internal deformation and the ice sheet adopts a classical parabolic surface profile.