Glacier and ice sheet flow

• Published in: Geophysical and astrophysical fluid dynamics Vol. 118; no. 4; pp. 251 - 386
• Main Author: Fowler, A. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 03.07.2024; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: basal processes; Bed forms; Bedforms; Deformation; Eskers; Glacial drift; Glaciation; Glacier flow; Glacier hydrology; Glaciers; Heinrich events; historical glaciology; Hydrology; Ice; ice sheet flow; Ice sheets; Laminar flow; Mathematical models; Rheological properties; Rheology; Sedimentary structures; Sliding; Slumping; subglacial bedforms
• ISSN: 0309-1929; 1029-0419
• DOI: 10.1080/03091929.2024.2346588

This review of the dynamics of the flow of glaciers and ice sheets focusses on the mathematical models which have been developed to explain a number of observations in the behaviour of these large ice masses. It takes a personal view, starting with an account of the historical development of the subject, followed by a tour of some of the observational puzzles and theoretical solutions which I have found most intriguing. Most of the discourse involves basal processes: glacier sliding, subglacial hydrology, bedform generation. I describe in some detail wave ogives, surging glaciers, subglacial floods and subglacial bedforms. I variously explore issues in sliding theory: sub-temperate sliding, slip or till deformation; the rheology of till; the status of the instability theory of drumlin formation. And in an effort to broaden the field of view, I include discussion of Dansgaard-Oeschger and Heinrich events, grounding line stability, and the formation of eskers and, particularly, flutes.