The Deflection of an Ice Sheet by a Submerged Gas Source

1977 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. Topham

The deflection of an infinite ice sheet by a submerged gas source, as would result from an undersea gas or oil well blowout is analysed utilizing an elastic thin plate model. The results show that fracture may occur either at the bubble center or just beyond the bubble edge, depending upon the bubble depth, the ice thickness, and the material properties assumed for the ice sheet. For ice one meter in thickness and a trapped gas depth greater than 100 mm, fracture at the bubble edge is probable. The critical bubble radius for failure varies rapidly with ice thickness, bubble depth, and the ice properties, which in view of the variability of the latter, makes the prediction of actual bubble radii to cause failure subject to a large degree of uncertainty.

2001 ◽  
Vol 106 (D24) ◽  
pp. 33761-33772 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Gogineni ◽  
D. Tammana ◽  
D. Braaten ◽  
C. Leuschen ◽  
T. Akins ◽  
...  

1989 ◽  
Vol 35 (121) ◽  
pp. 406-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels Reeh

AbstractSimple analytical models are developed in order to study how up-stream variations in accumulation rate and ice thickness, and horizontal convergence/ divergence of the flow influence the age and annual layer-thickness profiles in a steady-state ice sheet. Generally, a decrease/increase of the accumulation rate and an increase/decrease of the ice thickness in the up-stream direction (i.e. opposite to the flow direction) results in older/younger ice at a given depth in the ice sheet than would result if the up-stream accumulation rate and ice thickness were constant along the flow line.Convergence/divergence of the up-stream flow will decrease/increase the effect of the accumulation-rate and ice-thickness gradients, whereas convergence/divergence has no influence at all on the age and layer-thickness profiles if the up-stream accumulation rate and ice thickness are constant along the flow line.A modified column-flow model, i.e. a model for which the strain-rate profile (or, equivalently, the horizontal velocity profile) is constant down to the depth corresponding to the Holocene/Wisconsinan transition 10 750 year BP., seems to work well for dating the ice back to 10 000–11 000 year B P. at sites in the slope regions of the Greenland ice sheet. For example, the model predicts the experimentally determined age profile at Dye 3 on the south Greenland ice sheet with a relative root-mean-square error of only 3% back to c. 10 700 year B.P. As illustrated by the Milcent location on the western slope of the central Greenland ice sheet, neglecting up-stream accumulation-rate and ice-thickness gradients, may lead to dating errors as large as 3000–000 years for c. 10 000 year old ice.However, even if these gradients are taken into account, the simple model fails to give acceptable ages for 10 000 year old ice at locations on slightly sloping ice ridges with strongly divergent flow, as for example the Camp Century location. The main reason for this failure is that the site of origin of the ice cannot be determined accurately enough by the simple models, if the flow is strongly divergent.With this exception, the simple models are well suited for dating the ice at locations where the available data or the required accuracy do not justify application of elaborate numerical models. The formulae derived for the age-depth profiles can easily be worked out on a pocket calculator, and in many cases will be a sensible alternative to using numerical flow models.


2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 551-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Roberts ◽  
R. C. Warner ◽  
D. Young ◽  
A. Wright ◽  
T. D. van Ommen ◽  
...  

Abstract. Ice thickness data over much of East Antarctica are sparse and irregularly distributed. This poses difficulties for reconstructing the homogeneous coverage needed to properly assess underlying sub-glacial morphology and fundamental geometric constraints on sea level rise. Here we introduce a new physically-based ice thickness interpolation scheme and apply this to existing ice thickness data in the Aurora Subglacial Basin region. The skill and robustness of the new reconstruction is demonstrated by comparison with new data from the ICECAP project. The interpolated morphology shows an extensive marine-based ice sheet, with considerably more area below sea-level than shown by prior studies. It also shows deep features connecting the coastal grounding zone with the deepest regions in the interior. This has implications for ice sheet response to a warming ocean and underscores the importance of obtaining additional high resolution data in these marginal zones for modelling ice sheet evolution.


Author(s):  
Jens-Holger Hellmann ◽  
Karl-Heinz Rupp ◽  
Walter L. Kuehnlein

According to the present Finnish-Swedish Ice Class Rules (FSICR) the formulas for the required main engine power for tankers led to much bigger main engines than it is needed for the demanded open water speed. Therefore model tests may be performed in order to verify the vessel’s capability to sail with less required power in brash ice channels compared to the calculations. Several model test runs have been performed in order to study the performance of crude oil tankers sailing in brash ice. The tests were performed as towed propulsion tests and the brash ice channel was prepared according to the guidelines set up by the Finnish Maritime Administration (FMA). The channel width was 2 times the beam of the tanker. The model tests were carried out at a speed of 5 knots. For the tests a parental level ice sheet of adequate thickness is prepared according to HSVA’s standard model ice preparation procedure. After a predefined level ice thickness has been reached, the air temperature in the ice tank will be raised. An ice channel with straight edges will be cut into the ice sheet by means of two ice knives. The ice stripe between the two cuts will be manually broken up into relatively small ice pieces using a special ice chisel and if required the brash ice material will be compacted. Typically the brash ice thickness will be measured prior the tests at 9 positions across the channel and every two meter over the entire length of the brash ice channel with a special device, which consists of a measuring rule with a perforated plate mounted under a right angle at the lower end of the rule. As a result of the tests it could be demonstrated that tankers with a capacity of more than 50 000 tons require 50% and even less power compared to calculations using the present FSICR formulas.


1993 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hitomi Kumagai ◽  
Hitoshi Kumagai ◽  
Toshimasa Yano

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rowan Romeyn ◽  
Alfred Hanssen ◽  
Bent Ole Ruud ◽  
Tor Arne Johansen

Abstract. Air-coupled flexural waves appear as wave trains of constant frequency that arrive in advance of the direct air-wave from an impulsive source travelling over a floating ice sheet. The frequency of these waves varies with the flexural stiffness of the ice sheet, which is controlled by a combination of thickness and elastic properties. We develop a theoretical framework to understand these waves, utilizing modern numerical and Fourier methods to give a simpler and more accessible description than the pioneering, yet unwieldly analytical efforts of the 1950's. Our favoured dynamical model can be understood in terms of linear filter theory and is closely related to models used to describe the flexural waves produced by moving vehicles on floating plates. We find that air-coupled flexural waves are a robust feature of floating ice-sheets excited by impulsive sources over a large range of thicknesses, and we present a simple closed-form estimator for the ice thickness. Our study is focussed on first-year sea ice of ~20–80 cm thickness in Van Mijenfjorden, Svalbard, that was investigated through active source seismic experiments over four field campaigns in 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The air-coupled flexural frequencies for sea-ice in this thickness range are ~60–240 Hz. While air-coupled flexural waves for thick sea-ice have received little attention, the higher frequencies associated with thin ice on fresh water lakes and rivers are well known to the ice-skating community and have been reported in popular media. Estimation of ice physical properties, following the approach we present, may allow improved surface wave modelling and wavefield subtraction in reflection seismic studies where flexural wave noise is undesirable. On the other hand, air-coupled flexural waves may also permit non-destructive continuous monitoring of ice thickness and flexural stiffness using simple, relatively inexpensive microphones located in the vicinity of the desired measurement location, either above the ice-sheet or along the shoreline. In this case, naturally forming cracks in the ice may be an appropriate impulsive source capable of exciting flexural waves in floating ice sheets in a passive monitoring context.


2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 655-684 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Roberts ◽  
R. C. Warner ◽  
D. Young ◽  
A. Wright ◽  
T. D. van Ommen ◽  
...  

Abstract. Ice thickness data over much of East Antarctica are sparse and irregularly distributed. This poses difficulties for reconstructing the homogeneous coverage needed to properly assess underlying sub-glacial morphology and fundamental geometric constraints on sea level rise. Here we introduce a new physically-based ice thickness interpolation scheme and apply this to existing ice thickness data in the Aurora Subglacial Basin region. The skill and robustness of the new reconstruction is demonstrated by comparison with new data from the ICECAP project. The interpolated morphology shows an extensive marine-based ice sheet, with considerably more area below sea-level than shown by prior studies. It also shows deep features connecting the coastal grounding zone with the deepest regions in the interior. This has implications for ice sheet response to a warming ocean and underscores the importance of obtaining additional high resolution data in these marginal zones for modelling ice sheet evolution.


2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Lindbäck ◽  
R. Pettersson ◽  
S. H. Doyle ◽  
C. Helanow ◽  
P. Jansson ◽  
...  

Abstract. We present ice thickness and bed topography maps with high spatial resolution (250 to 500 m) of a and-terminating section of the Greenland Ice Sheet derived from combined ground-based and airborne radar surveys. The data have a total area of ~12000 km2 and cover the whole ablation area of the outlet glaciers of Isunnguata Sermia, Russell, Leverett, Ørkendalen and Isorlersuup up to the long-term mass balance equilibrium line altitude at ~1600 m above sea level. The bed topography shows highly variable subglacial trough systems, and the trough of the Isunnguata Sermia Glacier is over-deepened and reaches an elevation of several hundreds of meters below sea level. The ice surface is smooth and only reflects the bedrock topography in a subtle way, resulting in a highly variable ice thickness. The southern part of our study area consists of higher bed elevations compared to the northern part. The covered area is one of the most studied regions of the Greenland Ice Sheet with studies of mass balance, dynamics, and supraglacial lakes, and our combined dataset can be valuable for detailed studies of ice sheet dynamics and hydrology. The compiled datasets of ground-based and airborne radar surveys are accessible for reviewers (password protected) at doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/pangaea.830314 and will be freely available in the final revised paper.


1996 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 226-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Huybrechts

A high-resolution, three-dimensional thermomechanical ice-sheet model, which includes isostasy, the possibility of ice-sheet expansion on the continental shelf and refined climatic parameterizations, was used to investigate the basal thermal regime of the Greenland ice sheet. The thermodynamic calculations take into account the usual terms of heat flow within the ice, a thermally active bedrock layer and all of the effects associated with changes in ice thickness and flow pattern. Basal temperature conditions are documented with respect to glacial–interracial shifts in climatic boundary conditions, both in steady state as during simulations over the last two glacial cycles using the GRIP δ180 record. It is found that the basal temperature field shows a large sensitivity in steady-state experiments but that, during a glacial cycle, basal temperature variations are strongly damped, in particular in central areas. A comparison has been made with measured data from deep ice cores and the implications are discussed.


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