Characterization of the basal hydraulic system of a surge-type glacier : Trapridge Glacier, 1989-92 ...
Subglacial hydrology is a critical issue in understanding glacier and ice-sheet dynamics. This is especially true for surge-type glaciers, which are distinguished by their regular, quasi-periodic alternation between slow and fast flow regimes (Meier and Post, 1969); the fast flow during a surge is t...
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| Format: | Text |
| Language: | English |
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University of British Columbia
2008
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| Online Access: | https://dx.doi.org/10.14288/1.0052961 https://doi.library.ubc.ca/10.14288/1.0052961 |
| Summary: | Subglacial hydrology is a critical issue in understanding glacier and ice-sheet dynamics. This is especially true for surge-type glaciers, which are distinguished by their regular, quasi-periodic alternation between slow and fast flow regimes (Meier and Post, 1969); the fast flow during a surge is thought to be caused by rapid sliding brought about by sustained high basal water pressure. How sustained high pressures develop and how the subglacial distribution of water influences glacier sliding are fundamental unsolved questions. We describe an investigation of the water drainage system beneath Trapridge Glacier, a surge-type glacier in Yukon Territory, Canada. We take two different approaches to characterizing the basal hydraulic system of the glacier. The first approach is borehole response testing, which involves changing the basal water pressure in the vicinity of a borehole and simultaneously observing the drainage system's response. We develop a theoretical model that describes the movement of water, ... |
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