Improved representation of laminar and turbulent sheet flow in subglacial drainage models

• Published in: Journal of Glaciology
• Main Authors: Tim Hill, Gwenn Elizabeth Flowers, Matthew James Hoffman, Derek Bingham, Mauro Angelo Werder
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press
• Subjects: Glacier hydrology; glacier modelling; subglacial processes; Environmental sciences; GE1-350; Meteorology. Climatology; QC851-999; Journal of Glaciology
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1017/jog.2023.103; https://doaj.org/article/011cf0ceb9bb441f8279ac8be948319b

Subglacial hydrology models struggle to reproduce seasonal drainage patterns that are consistent with observed subglacial water pressures and surface velocities. We modify the standard sheet-flow parameterization within a coupled sheet–channel subglacial drainage model to smoothly transition between laminar and turbulent flow based on the locally computed Reynolds number in a physically consistent way (the ‘transition’ model). We compare the transition model to standard laminar and turbulent models to assess the role of the sheet-flow parameterization in reconciling observed and modelled water pressures under idealized and realistic forcing. Relative to the turbulent model, the laminar and transition models improve seasonal simulations by increasing winter water pressure and producing a more prominent late-summer water pressure minimum. In contrast to the laminar model, the transition model remains consistent with its own internal assumptions across all flow regimes. Based on the internal consistency of the transition model and its improved performance relative to the standard turbulent model, we recommend its use for transient simulations of subglacial drainage.