On the Sliding of Glaciers

1957/01/01 by J. Weertman · 15 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Medicine · #Cryospheric studies and observations #Winter Sports Injuries and Performance #Arctic and Antarctic ice dynamics

paper · doi:10.3189/s0022143000024709

Abstract

Abstract A model is proposed to explain the sliding of any glacier whose bottom surface is at the pressure melting point. Two mechanisms are considered. One is pressure melting and the other is creep rate enhancement through stress concentrations. Neither of the mechanisms operating alone is sufficient to explain sliding. If both mechanisms operate together appreciable sliding can occur.

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