On the importance of higher order ice dynamics for glacial landscape evolution
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On the importance of higher order ice dynamics for glacial landscape evolution. / Egholm, D. L.; Pedersen, V. K.; Knudsen, M. F.; Larsen, N. K.
In: Geomorphology, Vol. 141-142, 2012, p. 67-80.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - On the importance of higher order ice dynamics for glacial landscape evolution
AU - Egholm, D. L.
AU - Pedersen, V. K.
AU - Knudsen, M. F.
AU - Larsen, N. K.
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - Alpine glacial landforms (such as U-shaped troughs, hanging valleys, and cirques) have been linked to the meltwater-modulated sliding motion of glaciers. Several of these alpine landforms are associated with characteristic length scales for width and spacing, indicating that the viscosity of ice exerts a first-order control on the processes responsible for their formation. Here we present the results of three-dimensional computational experiments focusing on the influence of higher order ice dynamical effects, such as horizontal stress gradients, on long-term glacial landscape evolution. Some of the experiments presented have highly simplified bed conditions; other experiments use topography from an existing mountain range as basis for simulating glacial erosion. The experiments demonstrate how gradients in horizontal stress play a primary role in scaling the bed shear stress of glaciers. We also demonstrate how higher order ice dynamics may influence the feedback between glacial sliding and erosion, hereby providing important stabilization mechanisms that prevent runaway effects associated with the steepening of longitudinal profiles and the formation of overdeepenings.
AB - Alpine glacial landforms (such as U-shaped troughs, hanging valleys, and cirques) have been linked to the meltwater-modulated sliding motion of glaciers. Several of these alpine landforms are associated with characteristic length scales for width and spacing, indicating that the viscosity of ice exerts a first-order control on the processes responsible for their formation. Here we present the results of three-dimensional computational experiments focusing on the influence of higher order ice dynamical effects, such as horizontal stress gradients, on long-term glacial landscape evolution. Some of the experiments presented have highly simplified bed conditions; other experiments use topography from an existing mountain range as basis for simulating glacial erosion. The experiments demonstrate how gradients in horizontal stress play a primary role in scaling the bed shear stress of glaciers. We also demonstrate how higher order ice dynamics may influence the feedback between glacial sliding and erosion, hereby providing important stabilization mechanisms that prevent runaway effects associated with the steepening of longitudinal profiles and the formation of overdeepenings.
KW - Erosion
KW - Glaciation
KW - Landscape evolution
KW - Numerical modeling
U2 - 10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.12.020
DO - 10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.12.020
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:84856489525
VL - 141-142
SP - 67
EP - 80
JO - Geomorphology
JF - Geomorphology
SN - 0169-555X
ER -
ID: 235141473