Mass balance, flow and subglacial processes of a modelled Younger Dryas ice cap in Scotland
ABSTRACT. We use an empirically validated high-resolution three-dimensional ice-sheet model to investigate the mass-balance regime, flow mechanisms and subglacial characteristics of a simulated Younger Dryas Stadial ice cap in Scotland, and compare the resulting model forecasts with geological evide...
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ftciteseerx:oai:CiteSeerX.psu:10.1.1.429.8344 2023-05-15T16:38:01+02:00 Mass balance, flow and subglacial processes of a modelled Younger Dryas ice cap in Scotland Nicholas R. Golledge Alun L. Hubbard David E. Sugden The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives application/pdf http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.429.8344 http://www.igsoc.org/journal/55/189/t08J014.pdf en eng http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.429.8344 http://www.igsoc.org/journal/55/189/t08J014.pdf Metadata may be used without restrictions as long as the oai identifier remains attached to it. http://www.igsoc.org/journal/55/189/t08J014.pdf text ftciteseerx 2016-01-08T04:32:53Z ABSTRACT. We use an empirically validated high-resolution three-dimensional ice-sheet model to investigate the mass-balance regime, flow mechanisms and subglacial characteristics of a simulated Younger Dryas Stadial ice cap in Scotland, and compare the resulting model forecasts with geological evidence. Input data for the model are basal topography, a temperature forcing derived from GRIP δ 18 O fluctuations and a precipitation distribution interpolated from modern data. The model employs a positive-degree-day scheme to calculate net mass balance within a domain of 112 500 km 2, which, under the imposed climate, gives rise to an elongate ice cap along the axis of the western Scottish Highlands. At its maximum, the ice cap is dynamically and thermally zoned, reflecting topographic and climatic controls, respectively. In order to link these palaeoglaciological conditions to geological interpretations, we calculate the relative balance between sliding and creep within the simulated ice cap, forecast areas of the ice cap with the greatest capacity for basal erosion and predict the likely pattern of subglacial drainage. We conclude that ice flow in central areas of the ice cap is largely due to internal deformation, and is associated with geological evidence of landscape preservation. Conversely, the distribution of streamlined landforms is linked to faster-flowing ice whose velocity is predominantly the result of basal sliding. The geometry of the main ice mass focuses subglacial erosion in the mid-sections of topographic troughs, and produces glaciohydraulic gradients that favour subglacial drainage through low-order arterial routes. Text Ice cap Ice Sheet Unknown |
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English |
description |
ABSTRACT. We use an empirically validated high-resolution three-dimensional ice-sheet model to investigate the mass-balance regime, flow mechanisms and subglacial characteristics of a simulated Younger Dryas Stadial ice cap in Scotland, and compare the resulting model forecasts with geological evidence. Input data for the model are basal topography, a temperature forcing derived from GRIP δ 18 O fluctuations and a precipitation distribution interpolated from modern data. The model employs a positive-degree-day scheme to calculate net mass balance within a domain of 112 500 km 2, which, under the imposed climate, gives rise to an elongate ice cap along the axis of the western Scottish Highlands. At its maximum, the ice cap is dynamically and thermally zoned, reflecting topographic and climatic controls, respectively. In order to link these palaeoglaciological conditions to geological interpretations, we calculate the relative balance between sliding and creep within the simulated ice cap, forecast areas of the ice cap with the greatest capacity for basal erosion and predict the likely pattern of subglacial drainage. We conclude that ice flow in central areas of the ice cap is largely due to internal deformation, and is associated with geological evidence of landscape preservation. Conversely, the distribution of streamlined landforms is linked to faster-flowing ice whose velocity is predominantly the result of basal sliding. The geometry of the main ice mass focuses subglacial erosion in the mid-sections of topographic troughs, and produces glaciohydraulic gradients that favour subglacial drainage through low-order arterial routes. |
author2 |
The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives |
format |
Text |
author |
Nicholas R. Golledge Alun L. Hubbard David E. Sugden |
spellingShingle |
Nicholas R. Golledge Alun L. Hubbard David E. Sugden Mass balance, flow and subglacial processes of a modelled Younger Dryas ice cap in Scotland |
author_facet |
Nicholas R. Golledge Alun L. Hubbard David E. Sugden |
author_sort |
Nicholas R. Golledge |
title |
Mass balance, flow and subglacial processes of a modelled Younger Dryas ice cap in Scotland |
title_short |
Mass balance, flow and subglacial processes of a modelled Younger Dryas ice cap in Scotland |
title_full |
Mass balance, flow and subglacial processes of a modelled Younger Dryas ice cap in Scotland |
title_fullStr |
Mass balance, flow and subglacial processes of a modelled Younger Dryas ice cap in Scotland |
title_full_unstemmed |
Mass balance, flow and subglacial processes of a modelled Younger Dryas ice cap in Scotland |
title_sort |
mass balance, flow and subglacial processes of a modelled younger dryas ice cap in scotland |
url |
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.429.8344 http://www.igsoc.org/journal/55/189/t08J014.pdf |
genre |
Ice cap Ice Sheet |
genre_facet |
Ice cap Ice Sheet |
op_source |
http://www.igsoc.org/journal/55/189/t08J014.pdf |
op_relation |
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.429.8344 http://www.igsoc.org/journal/55/189/t08J014.pdf |
op_rights |
Metadata may be used without restrictions as long as the oai identifier remains attached to it. |
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1766028312266670080 |