scholarly journals Basal Water Film, Basal Water Pressure, and Velocity of Traveling Waves on Glaciers

1983 ◽  
Vol 29 (101) ◽  
pp. 20-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Weertman ◽  
G. E. Birchfield
Keyword(s):  
Traveling Waves ◽  
Traveling Wave ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Water Film ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Surface Velocity ◽  
Sliding Velocity ◽  
Wave Velocities ◽  
Basal Shear

Abstract The theory of Nye and of Weertman of traveling waves on glaciers is extended to cover the situation where the presence of abundant basal water or increased basal water pressure produces increased sliding of a glacier over its bed. It is found that the ratio of traveling-wave velocity to surface velocity is independent of the amount of water or the basal water pressure. The theoretical value of this ratio, about 4 to 5, agrees with that found in field measurements (the most recent data are from Mer de Glace). It is concluded that field observations of traveling-wave velocities lend strong support to any glacier sliding theory in which the sliding velocity is proportional to the basal shear stress raised to about a second to fifth power and in which the sliding velocity is a function of either or both the amount of water at the bed of a glacier and the pressure within this water.

scholarly journals Basal Water Film, Basal Water Pressure, and Velocity of Traveling Waves on Glaciers

1983 ◽  
Vol 29 (101) ◽  
pp. 20-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Weertman ◽  
G. E. Birchfield
Keyword(s):  
Traveling Waves ◽  
Traveling Wave ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Water Film ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Surface Velocity ◽  
Sliding Velocity ◽  
Wave Velocities ◽  
Basal Shear

AbstractThe theory of Nye and of Weertman of traveling waves on glaciers is extended to cover the situation where the presence of abundant basal water or increased basal water pressure produces increased sliding of a glacier over its bed. It is found that the ratio of traveling-wave velocity to surface velocity is independent of the amount of water or the basal water pressure. The theoretical value of this ratio, about 4 to 5, agrees with that found in field measurements (the most recent data are from Mer de Glace). It is concluded that field observations of traveling-wave velocities lend strong support to any glacier sliding theory in which the sliding velocity is proportional to the basal shear stress raised to about a second to fifth power and in which the sliding velocity is a function of either or both the amount of water at the bed of a glacier and the pressure within this water.

scholarly journals The role of bed separation and friction in sliding over an undeformable bed

1992 ◽  
Vol 38 (128) ◽  
pp. 77-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürg Schweizer ◽  
Almut Iken
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Functional Relationship ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Important Variable ◽  
Sliding Velocity ◽  
Sliding Motion ◽  
Basal Ice ◽  
Bed Separation ◽  
Basal Shear

AbstractThe classic sliding theories usually assume that the sliding motion occurs frictionlessly. However, basal ice is debris-laden and friction exists between the substratum and rock particles embedded in the basal ice. The influence of debris concentration on the sliding process is investigated. The actual conditions where certain types of friction apply are defined, the effect for the case of bed separation due to a subglacial water pressure is studied and consequences for the sliding law are formulated. The numerical modelling of the sliding of an ice mass over an undulating bed, including the effect of both the subglacial water pressure and the friction, is done by using the finite-clement method. Friction, seen as a reduction of the driving shear stress due to gravity, can be included in existing sliding laws which should contain the critical pressure as an important variable. An approximate functional relationship between the sliding velocity, the effective basal shear stress and the subglacial water pressure is given.

scholarly journals Mass–Balance and Ice–Flow–Law Parameters for East Antarctica

1985 ◽  
Vol 31 (109) ◽  
pp. 334-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.C Hamley ◽  
I.N. Smith ◽  
N.W. Young
Keyword(s):  
Power Flow ◽  
Grid Point ◽  
Ice Sheet ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
East Antarctica ◽  
Surface Velocity ◽  
Shear Strain Rate ◽  
Polar Research Institute ◽  
Flow Law ◽  
Basal Shear

AbstractA comprehensive set of ice-velocity and thickness data from traverses within the IAGP study area (bounded by long. 90°E. and 135°E., and north of lat. 80°S.) is compared with steady-state mass-flux calculations based on Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI) map compilations.The results of previous regional mass-budget estimates are reviewed and followed by a description of the new field measurements and the basis upon which a computer “grid–point” program is used to calculate balance fluxes.A comparison of measured and balance fluxes indicates that the ice sheet in this region of East Antarctica is unlikely to be significantly out of balance.The ratio of average column to surface velocity is discussed and calculated to be 0.89.An analysis of the mean shear strain-rate (VS/Z), versus down-slope basal shear stress (τb=ρgᾱZ), suggests that power flow-law parameters ofn= 3.21 andk= 0.023 bar−nm−1are appropriate for the effective basal shear zone in this region of the Antarctic ice sheet.

scholarly journals Basal Sliding and Conditions at the Glacier Bed as Revealed by Bore-hole Photography

1978 ◽  
Vol 20 (84) ◽  
pp. 469-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. F. Engelhardt ◽  
W. D. Harrison ◽  
Barclay Kamb
Keyword(s):  
Flow Direction ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Surface Flow ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Surface Velocity ◽  
Internal Motions ◽  
Basal Sliding ◽  
Bed Roughness ◽  
Atmospheric Factors ◽  
Basal Shear

AbstractBore-hole photography demonstrates that the glacier bed was reached by cable-tool drilling in five bore holes in Blue Glacier, Washington. Basal sliding velocities measured by bore-hole photography, and confirmed by inclinometry, range from 0.3 to 3.0 cm/d and average 1.0 cm/d, much less than half the surface velocity of 15 cm/d. Sliding directions deviate up to 30° from the surface flow direction. Marked lateral and time variations in sliding velocity occur. The glacier bed consists of bedrock overlain by a ≈ 10 cm layer ofactive subsole drift, which intervenes between bedrock and ice sole and is actively involved in the sliding process. It forms a mechanically and visibly distinct layer, partially to completely ice-free, beneath the zone of debris-laden ice at the base of the glacier. Internal motions in the subsole drift include rolling of clasts caught between bedrock and moving ice. The largest sliding velocities occur in places where a basal gap, of width up to a few centimeters, intervenes between ice sole and subsole drift. The gap may result from ice—bed separation due to pressurization of the bed by bore-hole water. Water levels in bore holes reaching the bed drop to the bottom when good hydraulic connection is established with sub-glacial conduits; the water pressure in the conduits is essentially atmospheric. Factors responsible for the generally low sliding velocities are high bed roughness due to subsole drift, partial support of basal shear stress by rock friction, and minimal basal cavitation because of low water pressure in subglacial conduits. The observed basal conditions do not closely correspond to those assumed in existing theories of sliding.

scholarly journals The sliding velocity over a sinusoidal bed at high water pressure

1998 ◽  
Vol 44 (147) ◽  
pp. 379-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Truffer ◽  
Almut Iken
Keyword(s):  
Contact Area ◽  
Critical Pressure ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Wave Length ◽  
High Water ◽  
Force Balance ◽  
Sliding Velocity ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
Overburden Pressure ◽  
Basal Shear

AbstractUnder idealized conditions, when pressurized water has access to all low-pressure areas at the glacier bed, a sliding instability exists at a critical pressure,pc,well below the overburden pressure,p0.The critical pressure is given by, wherelis the wave length andais the amplitude of a sinusoidal bedrock, andTis the basal shear stress. When the subglacial water pressure, pw, approaches this critical value, the area of ice-bed contact,△l,becomes very small and the pressure on the contact area becomes very large. This pressure is calculated from a force balance and the corresponding rate of compression is obtained using Glen’s flow law for ice. On the assumption that compression in the vicinity of the contact area occurs over a distance of the order of the size of this area,Δl,a deformational velocity is estimated. The resultant sliding velocity shows the expected instability at the critical water pressure. The dependency on other parameters, such as wavelengthland roughnessa/l,was found to be the same as for sliding without bed separation.

scholarly journals The role of bed separation and friction in sliding over an undeformable bed

1992 ◽  
Vol 38 (128) ◽  
pp. 77-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürg Schweizer ◽  
Almut Iken
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Functional Relationship ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Important Variable ◽  
Sliding Velocity ◽  
Sliding Motion ◽  
Basal Ice ◽  
Bed Separation ◽  
Basal Shear

AbstractThe classic sliding theories usually assume that the sliding motion occurs frictionlessly. However, basal ice is debris-laden and friction exists between the substratum and rock particles embedded in the basal ice. The influence of debris concentration on the sliding process is investigated. The actual conditions where certain types of friction apply are defined, the effect for the case of bed separation due to a subglacial water pressure is studied and consequences for the sliding law are formulated. The numerical modelling of the sliding of an ice mass over an undulating bed, including the effect of both the subglacial water pressure and the friction, is done by using the finite-clement method. Friction, seen as a reduction of the driving shear stress due to gravity, can be included in existing sliding laws which should contain the critical pressure as an important variable. An approximate functional relationship between the sliding velocity, the effective basal shear stress and the subglacial water pressure is given.

scholarly journals Basal Sliding and Bed Separation: Is There a Connection?

1979 ◽  
Vol 23 (89) ◽  
pp. 407-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Bindschadler
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Normal Stress ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Simple Relationship ◽  
Sliding Velocity ◽  
Separation Parameter ◽  
Basal Sliding ◽  
Bed Separation ◽  
Image Position ◽  
Basal Shear

Abstract Analysis of field data from Variegated Glacier supports the conclusion of Meier (1968) that no simple relationship between basal shear stress and sliding velocity can be found. On the other hand, an index of bed separation is defined and evaluated that correlates very well with the longitudinal variation of summer sliding velocity inferred for Variegated Glacier. This bed separation parameter is defined as where τ is the basal shear stress and is proportional to the drop in normal stress on the down-glacier side of bedrock bumps and N eff is the effective normal stress equal to the overburden stress minus the subglacial water pressure. The water-pressure distribution is calculated assuming water flow to be confined in subglacial Röthlisberger conduits. The excellent agreement between the longitudinal profiles of I and sliding velocity suggests that calculations of the variation of bed separation can be used to deduce the variation of sliding velocity in both space and time. Further, it is possible that a functional relationship can be developed that adequately represents the geometric controls on basal sliding to permit accurate predictions of sliding velocities.

scholarly journals Evidence for temporally varying “sticky spots” at the base of Trapridge Glacier, Yukon Territory, Canada

1999 ◽  
Vol 45 (150) ◽  
pp. 352-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Urs H. Fischer ◽  
Garry K. C. Clarke ◽  
Heinz Blatter
Keyword(s):  
Water Pressure ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Water Film ◽  
High Water ◽  
Yukon Territory ◽  
Basal Resistance ◽  
Model Calculations ◽  
Pressure Transducers ◽  
Glacier Ice ◽  
Trapridge Glacier

AbstractDuring the 1992 summer field season we installed arrays of “plough-meters” and water-pressure transducers beneath Trapridge Glacier. Yukon Territory, Canada, to study hydromechanical coupling at the ice–bed interface. Diurnal signals recorded with two of these ploughmeters appear to correlate with fluctuations in sub-glacial water pressure. These diurnal variations can be explained by changes in basal resistance to sliding as mechanical conditions at the bed vary temporally in response to changes in the subglacial hydrological system. We propose that a lubricating water film, associated with high water pressures, promotes glacier sliding, whereas low pressures cause increased basal drag resulting in “sticky” areas. Using a theoretical model, we analyze the sliding motion of glacier ice over a flat surface having variable basal drag and show that a consistent explanation can be developed. Results from our model calculations provide strong support for the existence of time-varying sticky spots which are associated with fluctuations in subglacial water pressure.

scholarly journals Basal Sliding and Bed Separation: Is There a Connection?

1979 ◽  
Vol 23 (89) ◽  
pp. 407-408
Author(s):  
Robert Bindschadler
Keyword(s):  
Shear Stress ◽  
Normal Stress ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Simple Relationship ◽  
Sliding Velocity ◽  
Separation Parameter ◽  
Basal Sliding ◽  
Bed Separation ◽  
Image Position ◽  
Basal Shear

AbstractAnalysis of field data from Variegated Glacier supports the conclusion of Meier (1968) that no simple relationship between basal shear stress and sliding velocity can be found. On the other hand, an index of bed separation is defined and evaluated that correlates very well with the longitudinal variation of summer sliding velocity inferred for Variegated Glacier. This bed separation parameter is defined as where τ is the basal shear stress and is proportional to the drop in normal stress on the down-glacier side of bedrock bumps and Neff is the effective normal stress equal to the overburden stress minus the subglacial water pressure. The water-pressure distribution is calculated assuming water flow to be confined in subglacial Röthlisberger conduits. The excellent agreement between the longitudinal profiles of I and sliding velocity suggests that calculations of the variation of bed separation can be used to deduce the variation of sliding velocity in both space and time. Further, it is possible that a functional relationship can be developed that adequately represents the geometric controls on basal sliding to permit accurate predictions of sliding velocities.

scholarly journals Basal Sliding and Conditions at the Glacier Bed as Revealed by Bore-hole Photography

1978 ◽  
Vol 20 (84) ◽  
pp. 469-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. F. Engelhardt ◽  
W. D. Harrison ◽  
Barclay Kamb
Keyword(s):  
Flow Direction ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Surface Flow ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Surface Velocity ◽  
Internal Motions ◽  
Basal Sliding ◽  
Bed Roughness ◽  
Atmospheric Factors ◽  
Basal Shear

AbstractBore-hole photography demonstrates that the glacier bed was reached by cable-tool drilling in five bore holes in Blue Glacier, Washington. Basal sliding velocities measured by bore-hole photography, and confirmed by inclinometry, range from 0.3 to 3.0 cm/d and average 1.0 cm/d, much less than half the surface velocity of 15 cm/d. Sliding directions deviate up to 30° from the surface flow direction. Marked lateral and time variations in sliding velocity occur. The glacier bed consists of bedrock overlain by a ≈ 10 cm layer of active subsole drift, which intervenes between bedrock and ice sole and is actively involved in the sliding process. It forms a mechanically and visibly distinct layer, partially to completely ice-free, beneath the zone of debris-laden ice at the base of the glacier. Internal motions in the subsole drift include rolling of clasts caught between bedrock and moving ice. The largest sliding velocities occur in places where a basal gap, of width up to a few centimeters, intervenes between ice sole and subsole drift. The gap may result from ice—bed separation due to pressurization of the bed by bore-hole water. Water levels in bore holes reaching the bed drop to the bottom when good hydraulic connection is established with sub-glacial conduits; the water pressure in the conduits is essentially atmospheric. Factors responsible for the generally low sliding velocities are high bed roughness due to subsole drift, partial support of basal shear stress by rock friction, and minimal basal cavitation because of low water pressure in subglacial conduits. The observed basal conditions do not closely correspond to those assumed in existing theories of sliding.

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