Kinematic waves in polar firn stratigraphy
Radar studies of firn on the ice sheets have revealed complex folds on its internal layering that form from the interplay of snow accumulation and ice flow. A mathematical theory for these fold structures is presented, for the case where the radar cross section lies along the ice-flow direction and...
Main Authors: | , |
---|---|
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | unknown |
Published: |
International Glaciological Society
2011
|
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/16292/ http://www.igsoc.org/journal/current/206/j11j116.pdf |
id |
ftnerc:oai:nora.nerc.ac.uk:16292 |
---|---|
record_format |
openpolar |
spelling |
ftnerc:oai:nora.nerc.ac.uk:16292 2023-05-15T13:45:11+02:00 Kinematic waves in polar firn stratigraphy Ng, Felix King, Edward C. 2011 http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/16292/ http://www.igsoc.org/journal/current/206/j11j116.pdf unknown International Glaciological Society Ng, Felix; King, Edward C. 2011 Kinematic waves in polar firn stratigraphy. Journal of Glaciology, 57 (206). 1119-1134. Publication - Article PeerReviewed 2011 ftnerc 2023-02-04T19:30:26Z Radar studies of firn on the ice sheets have revealed complex folds on its internal layering that form from the interplay of snow accumulation and ice flow. A mathematical theory for these fold structures is presented, for the case where the radar cross section lies along the ice-flow direction and where the accumulation rate and ice-flow velocity are time-invariant. Our model, which accounts for firn densification, shows how 'information' (the depth and slope of isochrones) propagates on the radargram to govern its layer undulations. This leads us to discover universal rules behind the pattern of layer slopes on a distance-age domain and understand why the loci of layer-fold hinges curve, emerge and combine on the radargram to form closed loops that delineate areas of rising and plunging isochrones. We also develop a way of retrieving the accumulation rate distribution and layer ages from steady isochrone patterns. Analysis of a radargram from the onset zone of Bindschadler Ice Stream, West Antarctica, indicates that ice flow and accumulation rates have been steady there for the past 400 years, and that spatial anomalies in the latter are coupled to surface topography induced by ice flow over the undulating ice-stream bed. The theory provides new concepts for the morphological interpretation of radargrams. Article in Journal/Newspaper Antarc* Antarctica Bindschadler Ice Stream Journal of Glaciology West Antarctica Natural Environment Research Council: NERC Open Research Archive Bindschadler Ice Stream ENVELOPE(-142.000,-142.000,-81.000,-81.000) West Antarctica |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Natural Environment Research Council: NERC Open Research Archive |
op_collection_id |
ftnerc |
language |
unknown |
description |
Radar studies of firn on the ice sheets have revealed complex folds on its internal layering that form from the interplay of snow accumulation and ice flow. A mathematical theory for these fold structures is presented, for the case where the radar cross section lies along the ice-flow direction and where the accumulation rate and ice-flow velocity are time-invariant. Our model, which accounts for firn densification, shows how 'information' (the depth and slope of isochrones) propagates on the radargram to govern its layer undulations. This leads us to discover universal rules behind the pattern of layer slopes on a distance-age domain and understand why the loci of layer-fold hinges curve, emerge and combine on the radargram to form closed loops that delineate areas of rising and plunging isochrones. We also develop a way of retrieving the accumulation rate distribution and layer ages from steady isochrone patterns. Analysis of a radargram from the onset zone of Bindschadler Ice Stream, West Antarctica, indicates that ice flow and accumulation rates have been steady there for the past 400 years, and that spatial anomalies in the latter are coupled to surface topography induced by ice flow over the undulating ice-stream bed. The theory provides new concepts for the morphological interpretation of radargrams. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Ng, Felix King, Edward C. |
spellingShingle |
Ng, Felix King, Edward C. Kinematic waves in polar firn stratigraphy |
author_facet |
Ng, Felix King, Edward C. |
author_sort |
Ng, Felix |
title |
Kinematic waves in polar firn stratigraphy |
title_short |
Kinematic waves in polar firn stratigraphy |
title_full |
Kinematic waves in polar firn stratigraphy |
title_fullStr |
Kinematic waves in polar firn stratigraphy |
title_full_unstemmed |
Kinematic waves in polar firn stratigraphy |
title_sort |
kinematic waves in polar firn stratigraphy |
publisher |
International Glaciological Society |
publishDate |
2011 |
url |
http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/16292/ http://www.igsoc.org/journal/current/206/j11j116.pdf |
long_lat |
ENVELOPE(-142.000,-142.000,-81.000,-81.000) |
geographic |
Bindschadler Ice Stream West Antarctica |
geographic_facet |
Bindschadler Ice Stream West Antarctica |
genre |
Antarc* Antarctica Bindschadler Ice Stream Journal of Glaciology West Antarctica |
genre_facet |
Antarc* Antarctica Bindschadler Ice Stream Journal of Glaciology West Antarctica |
op_relation |
Ng, Felix; King, Edward C. 2011 Kinematic waves in polar firn stratigraphy. Journal of Glaciology, 57 (206). 1119-1134. |
_version_ |
1766216036526325760 |