Influence of geometrical boundary conditions on the estimation of rheological parameters

• Published in: Annals of Glaciology
• Main Authors: Frédérique Rémy, C. Bianchi, Ignazio E. Tabacco, Laurent Testut
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2000
• Subjects: NEANIAS Atmospheric Research Community; Earth-Surface Processes; Antarc*; Antarctica; East Antarctica; Ice Sheet
• Online Access: https://www.openaccessrepository.it/record/121927; https://doi.org/10.3189/172756400781820877

AbstractImproved knowledge of geometrical boundary conditions, such as bedrock geometry and surface topography, can contribute significantly to glaciological studies including ice-sheet-flow modelling. Precise thickness and altimetric data allow an estimation of ice-flow direction, the balance velocity and the basal shear stress. These parameters are calculated along a 1160 km profile in East Antarctica using a relationship between shear stress, basal temperature, the Glen flow exponent and a parameter related to strain rate. Strong variations of the flow-law parameters and basal conditions are found to play a major role in the ice-flow pattern. Sliding, anisotropy and longitudinal stress strongly perturb the validity of the law, but their signature can be identified.