Fundamentals of glacier dynamics

Measuring, monitoring, and modeling technologies and methods changed the field of glaciology significantly in the 14 years since the publication of the first edition of Fundamentals of Glacier Dynamics. Designed to help readers achieve the basic level of understanding required to describe and model the flow and dynamics of glaciers, this second edition provides a theoretical framework for quantitatively interpreting glacier changes and for developing models of glacier flow.

See What's New in the Second Edition:

Streamlined organization focusing on theory, model development, and data interpretation Introductory chapter reviews the most important mathematical tools used throughout the remainder of the book New chapter on fracture mechanics and iceberg calving Consolidated chapter covers applications of the force-budget technique using measurements of surface velocity to locate mechanical controls on glacier flow The latest developments in theory and modeling, including the addition of a discussion of exact time-dependent similarity solutions that can be used for verification of numerical models

The book emphasizes developing procedures and presents derivations leading to frequently used equations step by step to allow readers to grasp the mathematical details as well as physical approximations involved without having to consult the original works. As a result, readers will have gained the understanding needed to apply similar techniques to somewhat different applications.

Extensively updated with new material and focusing more on presenting the theoretical foundations of glacier flow, the book provides the tools for model validation in the form of analytical steady-state and time-evolving solutions. It provides the necessary background and theoretical foundation for developing more realistic ice-sheet models, which is essential for better integration of data and observations as well as for better model development.

Author Notes

C. J. van der Veen is a glaciologist interested in the dynamics of fast-moving glaciers and ice streams. His research focuses on using measurements of ice velocity and glacier geometry to identify mechanical controls on glaciers and how changes in these controls affect glacier flow and stability. After completing his PhD at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, he spent 20 years at The Ohio State University as a research scientist with the Byrd Polar Research Center (1986-2006). He is currently a professor in the Geography Department and research scientist with the Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets at the University of Kansas.

Preface	p. ix
Preface to the First Edition	p. xi
About the Author	p. xiii
Chapter 1 Mathematical Tools	p. 1
1.1 Vectors and Tensors	p. 1
1.2 Stress and Strain	p. 8
1.3 Error Analysis	p. 12
1.4 Parametric Uncertainty Analysis	p. 15
1.5 Calculating Strain Rates	p. 20
Chapter 2 Ice Deformation	p. 25
2.1 Creep of Glacier Ice	p. 25
2.2 Constitutive Relation	p. 30
2.3 More about the Constitutive Relation	p. 34
2.4 Fabric Effects in Glacier Ice	p. 38
2.5 Creep in Axially Symmetric Ice	p. 41
Chapter 3 Mechanics of Glacier Flow	p. 45
3.1 Force Balance	p. 45
3.2 Interpreting Force Balance	p. 51
3.3 The Force-Budget Technique	p. 55
3.4 Bridging Effects	p. 57
3.5 Stokes Equation Applied to Glacier Flow	p. 59
3.6 Creep Closure of Englacial Tunnels	p. 63
Chapter 4 Modeling Glacier Flow	p. 73
4.1 Introduction	p. 73
4.2 Lamellar Flow	p. 76
4.3 Including Lateral Drag	p. 81
4.4 Glacier Flow Controlled by Lateral Drag	p. 86
4.5 Ice-Shelf Spreading	p. 89
4.6 Along-Flow Variations in Glacier Flow	p. 95
4.7 Flow Near an Ice Divide	p. 107
Chapter 5 Equilibrium Profiles of Glaciers	p. 113
5.1 Perfect Plasticity	p. 113
5.2 Continuity Equation	p. 119
5.3 Steady-State Profiles along a Flowline	p. 123
5.4 Steady-State Profile of an Axisymmetric Ice Sheet	p. 127
5.5 Steady-State Profile of a Free-Floating Ice Shelf	p. 131
5.6 Flow Controlled by Lateral Drag	p. 136
Chapter 6 Glacier Thermodynamics	p. 141
6.1 Conservation of Energy	p. 141
6.2 Steady-State Temperature Profiles	p. 145
6.3 Effect of Horizontal Heat Advection	p. 150
6.4 Thermal Response of a Glacier to Changes in Climate	p. 153
6.5 Radiation Balance at the Surface of a Glacier	p. 158
6.6 Turbulent Heat Fluxes	p. 164
6.7 Physical Properties of Firn	p. 169
6.8 Calculated Near-Surface Snow Temperatures at South Pole Station	p. 173
Chapter 7 Subglacial Processes	p. 181
7.1 Introductory Concepts	p. 181
7.2 Sliding with Cavitation	p. 185
7.3 Glacier Flow over a Soft Bed	p. 193
7.4 Subglacial Hydraulics	p. 202
7.5 Tunnel Drainage	p. 206
Chapter 8 Fractures	p. 215
8.1 Surface Crevasses	p. 215
8.2 Fracture Mechanics	p. 220
8.3 Two-Dimensional Crevasse Propagation	p. 230
8.4 Basal Crevasses	p. 241
8.5 Iceberg Calving	p. 247
Chapter 9 Numerical Ice-Sheet Models	p. 257
9.1 Introductory Remarks	p. 257
9.2 Numerical Methods	p. 260
9.3 Model Driven by Shear Stress Only	p. 267
9.4 Flowband Model	p. 275
9.5 Calculating the Temperature Field	p. 279
9.6 Geodynamics	p. 283
9.7 Ice-Shelf Models	p. 291
Chapter 10 Dynamics of Glaciers and Ice Sheets	p. 301
10.1 Response to Changes in Surface Mass Balance	p. 301
10.2 Response to Grounding Line Thinning	p. 308
10.3 Time-Dependent Similarity Solutions	p. 313
10.4 Glacier Surges	p. 321
10.5 Marine Instability	p. 329
Chapter 11 Interpreting Observations	p. 341
11.1 Introductory Remarks	p. 341
11.2 Locating Mechanical Controls	p. 343
11.3 Estimating the Role of Gradients in Longitudinal Stress	p. 352
11.4 Estimating Resistance from Lateral Drag	p. 358
References	p. 363
Index	p. 383

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Table of Contents