Geomorphological and geomorphometrical characterization of subglacial channels on Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada
Subglacial channels are morphologically and morphometrically distinct in comparison to fluvial channels, yet their identification from remote sensing data is still problematic. To contribute to the current set of criteria used to identify such channels, we performed detailed field observations of tw...
Main Authors: | , , |
---|---|
Format: | Text |
Language: | English |
Published: |
2024
|
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-164 https://egusphere.copernicus.org/preprints/2024/egusphere-2024-164/ |
id |
ftcopernicus:oai:publications.copernicus.org:egusphere117625 |
---|---|
record_format |
openpolar |
spelling |
ftcopernicus:oai:publications.copernicus.org:egusphere117625 2024-09-15T18:03:39+00:00 Geomorphological and geomorphometrical characterization of subglacial channels on Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada Ruso, Simona F. Grau Galofre, Anna Osinski, Gordon R. 2024-01-29 application/pdf https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-164 https://egusphere.copernicus.org/preprints/2024/egusphere-2024-164/ eng eng doi:10.5194/egusphere-2024-164 https://egusphere.copernicus.org/preprints/2024/egusphere-2024-164/ eISSN: Text 2024 ftcopernicus https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-164 2024-08-28T05:24:15Z Subglacial channels are morphologically and morphometrically distinct in comparison to fluvial channels, yet their identification from remote sensing data is still problematic. To contribute to the current set of criteria used to identify such channels, we performed detailed field observations of two subglacial channel networks on Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada. In planform, these channels are isolated, finger-like networks that drain into a main stem and have distinct cross-sectional and longitudinal profiles. Cross-sections are flat-bottomed with steep walls and longitudinal profiles are convex and exhibit undulations, typical of pressurized water flow (i.e., subglacial flow). To facilitate remote sensing identification, we interrogated how well-known scaling relationships capturing hydraulics and mass balance dynamics of fluvial systems differ in subglacial channels. Scaling relationships typically used to discern connections between discharge and channel and catchment size in fluvial systems were applied to both networks, yielding trends distinct from the fluvial literature. We suggest that the weakly correlated relationship we found between channel discharge and the size of the drainage area indicates a discrete point or line source of water, such as a moulin or crevasse. Text Devon Island Nunavut Copernicus Publications: E-Journals |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Copernicus Publications: E-Journals |
op_collection_id |
ftcopernicus |
language |
English |
description |
Subglacial channels are morphologically and morphometrically distinct in comparison to fluvial channels, yet their identification from remote sensing data is still problematic. To contribute to the current set of criteria used to identify such channels, we performed detailed field observations of two subglacial channel networks on Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada. In planform, these channels are isolated, finger-like networks that drain into a main stem and have distinct cross-sectional and longitudinal profiles. Cross-sections are flat-bottomed with steep walls and longitudinal profiles are convex and exhibit undulations, typical of pressurized water flow (i.e., subglacial flow). To facilitate remote sensing identification, we interrogated how well-known scaling relationships capturing hydraulics and mass balance dynamics of fluvial systems differ in subglacial channels. Scaling relationships typically used to discern connections between discharge and channel and catchment size in fluvial systems were applied to both networks, yielding trends distinct from the fluvial literature. We suggest that the weakly correlated relationship we found between channel discharge and the size of the drainage area indicates a discrete point or line source of water, such as a moulin or crevasse. |
format |
Text |
author |
Ruso, Simona F. Grau Galofre, Anna Osinski, Gordon R. |
spellingShingle |
Ruso, Simona F. Grau Galofre, Anna Osinski, Gordon R. Geomorphological and geomorphometrical characterization of subglacial channels on Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada |
author_facet |
Ruso, Simona F. Grau Galofre, Anna Osinski, Gordon R. |
author_sort |
Ruso, Simona F. |
title |
Geomorphological and geomorphometrical characterization of subglacial channels on Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada |
title_short |
Geomorphological and geomorphometrical characterization of subglacial channels on Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada |
title_full |
Geomorphological and geomorphometrical characterization of subglacial channels on Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada |
title_fullStr |
Geomorphological and geomorphometrical characterization of subglacial channels on Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada |
title_full_unstemmed |
Geomorphological and geomorphometrical characterization of subglacial channels on Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada |
title_sort |
geomorphological and geomorphometrical characterization of subglacial channels on devon island, nunavut, canada |
publishDate |
2024 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-164 https://egusphere.copernicus.org/preprints/2024/egusphere-2024-164/ |
genre |
Devon Island Nunavut |
genre_facet |
Devon Island Nunavut |
op_source |
eISSN: |
op_relation |
doi:10.5194/egusphere-2024-164 https://egusphere.copernicus.org/preprints/2024/egusphere-2024-164/ |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-164 |
_version_ |
1810441126079889408 |