ISUA, Greenland: Calculations of Glacier Flow for an Open-Pit Mine.

• Main Author: Colbeck,Samuel C.
• Other Authors: COLD REGIONS RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING LAB HANOVER N H
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1973
• Subjects: Geology; Geochemistry and Mineralogy; Snow; Ice and Permafrost; GREENLAND; MINERALS; CONFIGURATIONS; VELOCITY; ABLATION; REMOVAL; OPEN PIT MINING; RESEARCH; Greenland; glacier; Ice; Ice cap; permafrost
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/AD0766300; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=AD0766300

The report covers the investigation of the possibility of developing an open-pit mine along the edge of the Greenland Ice Cap. The response of the glacier to a sudden change in surface slope and thickness is calculated. The existing flow is diverted away from the mineral deposit but will increase when the excavation begins. It is calculated that 66 million cubic meters of ice must be removed in order to establish a stable profile beyond the pit. An additional 7.9 million cubic meters of ice must be removed yearly in order to maintain the profile. (Author)