Flow obstructions in valley glaciers
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Date
2007
Authors
Caruso, Raven
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Arts and Science, 2007
Abstract
Valley glaciers often occur within complex dendritic systems where tributary glaciers
contribute ice mass and blocking potential to the trunk glacier. Analysis of glacier
inventories and maps in the regions of Svalbard, East Greenland, Yukon Territory and the
Thompson Glacier system indicates that trunk - tributary intersections commonly occur at
angles between 45° and 90°. An analogue material with flow properties similar to creep
in pure ice has been used to simulate flow in a model valley glacier. The model and a
series of blockages were constructed based on dimensions derived from the inventory and
map analysis. The angled blockage indicates lower overall velocity rates and appears to
have a funnelling rather than blocking affect on the analogue material. The perpendicular
obstruction that blocked half the width of the model valley caused a piling up of analogue
material prior to a release into the unobstructed side of the valley.
Description
ix, 149 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm.
Keywords
Dissertations, Academic , Glaciers -- Yukon Territory