Physics of Glacier Flow :: physics glaciers ice

How Glaciers Flow- Glaciers flow under the force of gravity as bump accumulates on the upper parts of the glacier and wants moves down slope.- The snow compresses to become churl and flows through the glacier into the ablation zone where it is disconnected.- If the accumulation equals the ablation than the glacier is said to be in equilibrium and its position will not change. This does not look on that the scrap will not flowAccumulation ZoneThe subject field where inputs occur into a glacier system. This usually occurs near the top of the glacier or ice sheet and such inputs to the system intromit snowfall, wind blown snow, rainfall and avalanches.Ablation ZoneThe region in which much mass is lost than gained in a glacier system. This usually occurs at the end and sides of the glacier. Forms of losses include wind ablation, avalanching, iceberg calving and melting. Glaciers flow through three several(predicate) mechanisms (1) by internal deformation (2) by basal sliding a nd (3) by subglacial deformation.Glacier Flow MechanismsInternal DeformationIce deforms under its own clog due to gravity and the movements of tiny ice crystals. Thicker and warmer ice deforms more rapidly although the oerall movement is very slow, only around tens of meters a year. There are two main processes of internal deformation creep, which forms plication structures, and faulting, which occurs when ice cannot creep fast enough and forms superficial tensional fractures. baseborn SlidingEnhanced Basal Creep - Stress concentrations around the upstream side of an obstacle result in locally elevated wring rates which causes ice to accelerate around the obstacle. The basal ice continually modifies its shape to allow a continued sliding. This process works dress hat when the obstacle is over 1m in size.Regelation - The process allows glacier ice to slide over rough beds by melting and refreezing on the downglacier side. It occurs as the most immunity to glacier movement is pr ovided by the upstream side of obstacles. This results in locally high wardrobes and the consequent encouragement of ice melting immediately upglacier of the obstacle. The resulting meltwater migrates to the lower pressure area downstream where it refreezes. This process is most effective when objects are little than 1m in size.Subglacial deformationSediment has a lower yield peculiarity than rock and ice and so it is deformable. As the sediment deforms, it moves the ice sheet with it.Ice Velocites * The surface velocities of a glacier can be measured quite easily using GPS.