TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION OF AN IDEALIZED ICE CAP.

• Main Author: Tien,Chi
• Other Authors: SNOW ICE AND PERMAFROST RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT WILMETTE ILL
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1960
• Subjects: Snow; Ice and Permafrost; (*GLACIERS; THERMAL ANALYSIS); TEMPERATURE; DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS; ICE; GROWTH(PHYSIOLOGY); THICKNESS; CLIMATE; GEOPHYSICS; HEAT FLUX; MELTING POINT; MATHEMATICAL PREDICTION; EXPERIMENTAL DATA; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; GREENLAND; ANTARCTIC REGIONS; PERMAFROST; GEOTHERMY; ICE FORMATION; *LAND ICE; ROSS ICE SHELF; Antarctic; Greenland; Ross Ice Shelf; Antarc*; Ice; Ice cap; Ice Shelf; permafrost
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/AD0696402; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=AD0696402

The problem is analyzed mathematically, assuming that the icecap has constant physical properties, that it grows at a constant rate from an initial zero thickness, is internally static, and subject to a linear climatic change and a constant geothermal heat flux. The results are compared with direct measurements in Greenland and in the Ross Ice Shelf. The problem is treated as a Stefan-type problem, and the solution is obtained by the principle of superposition. The results indicate that the temperature at the base of the icecap increases with time, and eventually would reach the melting point of ice. Under such conditions the icecap is not resting on permafrost as suggested earlier. The predicted results agree fairly well with direct measurements for greater depths. (Author) Previously announced as PB-159 055.