Glacier and ice sheet flow

• Main Author: Andrew Fowler
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2024
• Subjects: Mathematical sciences; glacier flow; ice sheet flow; historical glaciology; basal processes; subglacial bedforms; Ice Sheet
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.34961/researchrepository-ul.26984320.v1; https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Glacier_and_ice_sheet_flow/26984320

This review of the dynamics of the flow of glaciers and ice sheets focusses on the mathematical models which have been developed to explain a number of observations in the behaviour of these large ice masses. It takes a personal view, starting with an account of the historical development of the subject, followed by a tour of some of the observational puzzles and theoretical solutions which I have found most intriguing. Most of the discourse involves basal processes: glacier sliding, subglacial hydrology, bedform generation. I describe in some detail wave ogives, surging glaciers, subglacial floods and subglacial bedforms. I variously explore issues in sliding theory: sub-temperate sliding, slip or till deformation; the rheology of till; the status of the instability theory of drumlin formation. And in an effort to broaden the field of view, I include discussion of Dansgaard-Oeschger and Heinrich events, grounding line stability, and the formation of eskers and, particularly, flutes.