Tectonic processes in a surge-type glacier

The 1982–1983 surge of Variegated Glacier involved the development, growth and downglacier propagation of a velocity peak associated with rapid basal sliding facilitated by high subglacial water pressures. Passage of the velocity peak through the glacier was preceded by an episode of longitudinal shortening and followed by an episode of elongation. The deformation history of the glacier ice was dependent upon location relative to the surge nucleus and the final position reached by the propagating velocity peak. Ice above the surge nucleus experienced continuous and cumulative elongation; ice below the final position of the velocity peak experienced continuous and cumulative shortening; ice between these two points experienced shortening followed by elongation and low cumulative strain. The large-scale pattern of ice structure development reflects these deformation histories. Surging is equivalent to thrust sheet emplacement by a combination of gravity gliding over a weakened basal layer and ‘push from behind’, with the gravity-driven motion of the surging part of the glacier providing the push which allows the surge front to propagate. The relationships established between the deformation history of surging glaciers and the development of ice structures may facilitate the interpretation of structures in thrust sheets.     

Sediment record of short-lived ice-contact lakes, Burroughs Glacier, Alaska

Sediments deposited in two small ice-contact lakes with low rates of sediment input have been studied in subaerial exposures. Sediment characteristics are a function of the water source (glacial meltwater versus non-meltwater), proximity to the glacier margin and lake shore, amount of supraglacial debris, and lake duration. Calving Lake expanded (and later partially drained) as a calving ice margin retreated. Nearshore deltas contain 1 × 10⁵ m³ stratified sand and gravel deposited at rates up to 1 m/yr during a 9-yr interval. Deltaic sediment contains types A and B ripple-drift cross-lamination, draped lamination, and scour surfaces caused by variations in water-flow velocity and the amount of sediment settling from suspension. Most water inflow came from non-subglacial meltwater sources and was sediment-poor, so overflow and interflow sedimentation processes dominated the offshore environment. Offshore sediment generally contains massive silt or silt interbedded with fine-grained sand deposited at rates of 1.3-1.5 cm/yr. Iceberg gravity craters observed on the lake plain were formed when icebergs impacted the lake floor during calving events. In Bruce Hills Lake, proximity to glacier ice and the presence of supraglacial sediment formed coarsening-upward successions when debris fell directly from an ice ledge onto silty lacustrine sediment.     

天山托木尔峰科其喀尔巴西冰川表面运动速度特征分析

天山托木尔峰科其喀尔巴西冰川是典型的树枝状山谷冰川,利用3组(6期)ASTER遥感影像通过COSI-corr软件反演了该冰川表面运动速度.与花杆测量数据进行对比,反演冰川表面运动速度平均绝对误差为3.1 m·a-1,相对误差为11.9%,二者在空间上的分布基本一致,表明其反演精度符合要求.在此基础上,分析冰川表面运动速...     

Reconstructing past glacier dynamics and erosion from glacial geomorphic evidence: Snowdon,North Wales

Bedrock surfaces exposed around Llyn Llydaw, North Wales demonstrate contrasting styles of erosion beneath a Late Devensian ice sheet and a Loch Lomond Stadial (LLS) valley glacier. Ice sheet erosion involved lee-side fracturing, surface fracture wear and abrasive wear, while LLS erosion was primarily by abrasive wear. Preservation of ice sheet erosional features indicates limited rates of erosion during the LLS. Analysis of the geometry and distribution of erosional markings suggests that the low erosional capacity of the LLS glacier was due to a low basal sliding velocity. This prevented the formation of lee-side cavities, reduced the debris flux over the bed and minimised particle-bed contact loads. Reconstructions of the mass balance and geometry of the LLS glacier indicate that most of its balance velocity could be achieved by internal deformation alone. A combination of low subglacial water pressures and an unusually rough substrate explain the low sliding velocities. High bed roughness is due to the absence of leeside cavities and a change in flow orientation between ice sheet and LLS times, which meant that the LLS glacier was in contact with roughness elements which were generated in cavities beneath the ice sheet.     

Neogene fjordal sedimentation on the western margin of the Lambert Graben, East Antarctica

The Lambert Graben is occupied by the world’s largest fjord system, through which flows the Lambert Glacier, the Amery Ice Shelf and their tributaries. Along the western margin of the graben, in the northern Prince Charles Mountains, remnants of uplifted Miocene and Pliocene strata of the glacigenic fjordal Pagodroma Group total more than 800 m in thickness. These sediments provide evidence for a dynamic East Antarctic ice sheet during the Neogene Period. Each of the four Pagodroma Group formations defined from this region rests unconformably on either Proterozoic or Permo‐Triassic rocks. The unconformity surfaces represent parts of the walls and floors of Neogene fjords. For these surfaces to have been eroded, the ice must have been grounded out as far as the continental shelf in Prydz Bay. The Pagodroma Group was deposited by wet‐based glaciers discharging into a fjordal setting and includes lithofacies that are quite different from those produced by modern Antarctic ice masses. The principal lithofacies are massive diamicts and soulder gravels, deposited both close to a calving, grounded glacier terminus and from icebergs. The few stratified diamicts are the product of more distal iceberg sedimentation. An ice‐transported gravel lithofacies includes rockfall debris derived from palaeofjord walls and mixed with subglacially derived diamicts. Some lithofacies contain evidence of subaquatic slumping and gravity flowage. Volumetrically minor lithofacies include laminites, with some exposures exhibiting large ice‐rafted clasts. The laminites represent less proximal, mainly ice‐free fjordal sediments, resulting either from tidal‐current sorting of suspended sediment originating from subaquatic glaciofluvial discharge, or from turbidity currents derived from unstable subaquatically deposited glacigenic sediment. The Pagodroma Group provides a record of multiple glaciation by dynamic, sliding glaciers carrying large amounts of both basal and supraglacial debris. The closest modern analogues, in terms of the thermal and dynamic characteristics of the Neogene Lambert Glacier, appear to be the fast‐flowing tidewater glaciers of East Greenland. These glaciers originate from the interior ice sheet and discharge large volumes of icebergs; the resulting lithofacies are predominantly diamicts.     

Influence of glacier hydrology on the dynamics of a large Quaternary ice sheet

The influence of glacier hydrology on the time-dependent morphology and flow behaviour of the late Weichselian Scandinavian ice sheet is explored using a simple one-dimensional ice sheet model. The model is driven by orbitally induced radiation variations, ice-albedo feedback and eustatic sea-level change. The influence of hydrology is most marked during deglaciation and on the southern side of the ice sheet, where a marginal zone of rapid sliding, thin ice and low surface slopes develops. Such a zone is absent when hydrology is omitted from the model, and its formation results in earlier and more rapid deglaciation than occurs in the no-hydrology model. The final advance to the glacial maximum position results from an increase in the rate of basal sliding as climate warms after 23000 yr BP. Channelised subglacial drainage develops only episodically, and is associated with relatively low meltwater discharges and high hydraulic gradients. The predominance of iceberg calving as an ablation mechanism on the northern side of the ice sheet restricts the occurrence of surface melting. Lack of meltwater penetration to the glacier bed in this area means that ice flow is predominantly by internal deformation and the ice sheet adopts a classical parabolic surface profile.     

Debris structures in basal ice exposed at the margin of the Greenland ice sheet

The basal ice of many glaciers contains debris structures that reflect subglacial processes. Presented here is an unusually clear photograph of ice and debris in the lowest 2 m of the basal layer at the margin of the Greenland ice sheet. The photograph shows ice-debris relationships and deformation structures that reflect entrainment processes and flow history.     

Push-moraines and glacier-contact fans in marine and terrestrial environments

ABSTRACT The local climatic regime and the mass balance state are important determinants of the dynamics of terrestrial and marine glacier fronts, which in turn determine the sediments and landforms produced at the glacier front. Many modern glaciers undergoing overall retreat in areas of'maritime'climate produce winter push moraines during a late winter readvance, followed by a summer retreat, whilst in more'continental'regions no significant winter readvance occurs and annual push-moraines are absent. The frontal dynamics which lead to these changes are analysed and the form, structure, sequence and field relations of both terrestrial and marine push-moraines are described from Iceland, Spitsbergen and Baffin Island.
Long-term changes in mass balance leading to major glacier advances or readvances also generate large push-moraines. In terrestrial environments push-moraine formation is accompanied by uplift, rejuvenation and down-cutting of outwash systems whose sediments become closely associated with glaciotectonic structures, which permit pre-, syn- and post-tectonic sequences to be identified.
The development of ice marginal fan/moraine complexes is modelled as a function of the relative magnitude of two parameters: the velocity of ice movement and the calving rate. A high ice velocity just exceeded by the calving rate gives closely spaced push-moraines and confluent ice marginal fans. A high velocity far exceeded by the calving rate produces closely spaced moraines but separate ice marginal fans. A low ice velocity in combination with a high calving rate results in well separated and feebly developed push-moraines, while a low ice velocity and a low calving rate produces feeble push-moraines and coalescent fans.     

冰川动力学模式模型进展及研究

冰冻圈是气候系统中的一个重要圈层, 其中冰川又是冰冻圈的重要组成部分, 冰川、 尤其是山地冰川的本构方程和建模一直是冰川动力学的核心任务。首先, 简要回顾冰川模型的研究和发展, 简要介绍了基于Navier-Stokes方程耦合温度场的三维冰川模型。然后, 介绍了冰川建模过程中的常用的静水压力近似、 一阶近似、 浅冰近似等的基本概念, 总结了冰川的动力数值模式建立的主要方法, 对于常用的GLIMMER冰盖模式的物理框架及其应用进行了介绍。最后, 针对目前的简化模型难以准确地描述山地冰川的物理过程及其变化的问题, 提出了一个基于全Navier-Stokes方程的山地冰川模型及其动力框架、 边界条件处理的设想。本文可为建立、 发展冰川及冰架模型, 尤其建立和发展山地冰川模型提供基础知识和参考。     

Morphological and sedimentary responses to ice mass interaction during the last deglaciation

During decline of the last British–Irish Ice Sheet (BIIS) down‐wasting of ice meant that local sources played a larger role in regulating ice flow dynamics and driving the sediment and landform record. At the Last Glacial Maximum, glaciers in north‐western England interacted with an Irish Sea Ice Stream (ISIS) occupying the eastern Irish Sea basin (ISB) and advanced as a unified ice‐mass. During a retreat constrained to 21–17.3 ka, the sediment landform assemblages lain down reflect the progressive unzipping of the ice masses, oscillations of the ice margin during retreat, and then rapid wastage and disintegration. Evacuation of ice from the Ribble valley and Lancashire occurred first while the ISIS occupied the ISB to the west, creating ice‐dammed lakes. Deglaciation, complete after 18.6–17.3 ka, was rapid (50–25 m a^?1), but slower than rates identified for the western ISIS (550–100 m a^?1). The slower pace is interpreted as reflecting the lack of a calving margin and the decline of a terrestrial, grounded glacier. Ice marginal oscillations during retreat were probably forced by ice‐sheet dynamics rather than climatic variation. These data demonstrate that large grounded glaciers can display complex uncoupling and realignment during deglaciation, with asynchronous behaviour between adjacent ice lobes generating complex landform records.

     

Varve and radiocarbon dating support the rapid advance of Jakobshavn Isbræ during the Little Ice Age

Large outlet glaciers draining the Greenland Ice Sheet significantly influence overall ice sheet mass balance. Considerable short term (years to decades) retreat and fluctuations in velocity of Jakobshavn Isbræ, western Greenland, illustrate the complex nature by which large outlet glaciers respond to climate change, making predictions of future ice sheet change challenging. To provide a longer-term view (centuries), we investigate the geological record of Jakobshavn Isbræ change. We use continuous sediment records from lakes that were influenced by the recent advance of Jakobshavn Isbræ, which took place during the Little Ice Age. In particular, we explore the use of annually laminated lake sediments (varves) to precisely constrain the advance of the ice margin as it approached its late Holocene maximum extent. We find that the ice margin advanced recently, at least after ～1650 to ～1700 AD, and more likely ～1800 AD. We suggest that during this period Jakobshavn Isbræ advanced at a rate that was similar to its historically documented average retreat since ～1850 AD. Our results indicate that Jakobshavn Isbræ, and presumably other large marine calving glaciers, have the ability to advance quickly in response to climate forcing.     

山地冰川流动模型探讨

近30 a来冰川动力学模型有了快速发展, 在南极、 格林兰冰盖预测中取得一系列重要成果, 对山地冰川的研究也初见端倪. 从冰川流动的力学过程出发, 利用本构方程、 理想冰川假设、 浅冰层近似(Shallow ice approximation)假设完整地推导了理想冰川流动的物理过程, 揭示了冰川流动的机理, 建立了气候变化和冰川自身重力引起的理想冰川物质和能量再分配的温度耦合三维流动模型. 结合山地冰川的冰床形态, 将理想冰川与实际冰川相结合, 使理想冰川流动模型更好地近似山地冰川的流动.     

冰川动力学模式及其对中国冰川变化预测的适应性

冰川动力学模式以其优越的物理过程描述能力,在冰川变化的预测研究中占有重要地位.其中“频率响应模式”、“剖面形状因子模式”和“冰流模式”较为成熟,并且具备对山岳冰川演变的模拟分析能力.从发展历史、主要利弊以及适用条件和范围几个方面,对上述3种模式进行了讨论,并对其在我国冰川上的运用前景进行了探讨.     

青藏高原东南部海洋型冰川物质平衡研究进展北大核心CSCD

青藏东南部海洋型冰川具有独特的气候敏感性,普遍呈现加速退缩趋势,这不仅影响区域水资源安全,而且伴生了相应的冰川灾害,是当前青藏高原冰冻圈变化研究的热点区域之一。本文对海洋型冰川物质平衡时空变化特征进行了综述,2000年以来冰川总体处于物质亏损状态,其平均物质平衡介于-0.66~-0.61m w.e.·a^(-1)之间;同时总结了海洋型冰川物质加速变化的驱动因素以及新特征。当前海洋型冰川物质平衡变化研究受观测数据缺乏和模型模拟不确定性等问题限制,尤其现有模型对冰面裂隙增多与扩张、冰崖-冰面湖-表碛相互作用、冰内冰下过程、冰崩、末端冰湖水-冰相互作用等过程的描述过于简化或基本缺失,其机理及影响仍存在较大的不确定性。未来需加强海洋型冰川物质平衡的综合监测,基于多数据和多方法的集成研究提高模型对冰川物质平衡多物理过程的耦合与模拟能力,为开展海洋型冰川物质变化的区域水资源效应和致灾效应研究奠定基础。     

冰川冰内及冰下水系研究综述

冰内及冰下水系的形成与演化具有时空变化性,对冰川汇水储水及径流过程产生影响,与之紧密联系的冰下水文过程(水力状况)与冰川运动、冰川侵蚀及冰川洪水形成等过程息息相关。冰内及冰下水系空间结构和形态复杂,且不同于一般喀斯特水文系统,具有明显的季节变化性,其空间分布和水力状况会因外界水体输入(降水和冰雪融水)的变化而改变。冰内及冰下水系的变化通过影响汇流对冰川融水的径流过程产生影响,冰川区一些溃决洪水事件的发生与冰内及冰下蓄水的突然释放有很大关系。冰川蓄排水还通过改变冰下水力条件来影响冰川运动,反之冰川运动不仅影响蓄排水过程的转换效率,且通过改变冰川消融强度(冰体向下游消融区输送速率的变化)影响冰川排水系统的空间分布范围。在气候变暖及冰川变化的背景下,研究冰内冰下水系演化的时空特征及其影响具有重要科学意义。综述了目前国内外针对冰川冰内及冰下水系相关研究的进展及主要成果,并对该领域的研究前景进行了展望。     

The formation of glacial flutes: Assessment of models with evidence from Lyngsdalen, North Norway

Flutes are a distinctive type of glacial landform and comprise closely-spaced, streamlined ridges and furrows usually developed on till surfaces and aligned parallel to ice movement direction. Several models proposed to explain their formation involve, at least in part, post-depositional deformation or transfer of subglacial sediments; others involve primary deposition or erosion. The flutes on several glacier forelands in the mountains of the southern Lyngen peninsula in North Norway are associated with glaciers with cold-based margins. To explain the formation of the flutes three main sets of variables are investigated: 1, the landforms and their shapes, dimensions and field relationships; 2, the physical properties of the materials comprising the flutes; and 3, the glacier properties, and in particular, the basal thermal regime and ice-debris relationships at the glacier margin. Existing models of flute formation which involve post-depositional deformation or transfer of subglacial sediments do not explain satisfactorily several aspects of the flutes found in Lyngen. Instead, a model is proposed in which the flutes are primary features formed by deformation of the basal ice layer around subglacial boulders or other obstacles.     

Mais comment s'écoule donc un glacier ? Aperçu historique

Ice and snow have often helped physicists understand the world. On the contrary it has taken them a very long time to understand the flow of the glaciers. Naturalists only began to take an interest in glaciers at the beginning of the 19th century during the last phase of glacier advances. When the glacier flow from the upslope direction became obvious, it was then necessary to understand how it flowed. It was only in 1840, the year of the Antarctica ice sheet discovery by Dumont d'Urville, that two books laid the basis for the future field of glaciology: one by Agassiz on the ice age and glaciers, the other one by canon Rendu on glacier theory. During the 19th century, ice flow theories, adopted by most of the leading scientists, were based on melting/refreezing processes. Even though the word ‘fluid’ was first used in 1773 to describe ice, more the 130 years would have to go by before the laws of fluid mechanics were applied to ice. Even now, the parameter of Glen's law, which is used by glaciologists to model ice deformation, can take a very wide range of values, so that no unique ice flow law has yet been defined. To cite this article: F. Rémy, L. Testut, C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

The formation of a geometrical ridge network by the surge-type glacier Kongsvegen,Svalbard

Traditionally, geometrical ridge networks are interpreted as the product of the flow of subglacial sediment into open basal crevasses at the cessation of a glacier surge (‘crevasse-fill’ ridges). They are widely regarded as a characteristic landform of glacier surges. Understanding the range of processes by which these ridge networks form is therefore of importance in the recognition of palaeosurges within the landform record. The geometrical ridge network at the surge-type glacier Kongsvegen in Svalbard, does not form by crevasse filling. The networks consist of transverse and longitudinal ridges that can be seen forming at the current ice margin. The transverse ridges form as a result of the incorporation of basal debris along thrust planes within the ice. The thrusts were apparently formed during a glacier surge in 1948. Longitudinal ridges form through the meltout of elongated pods of debris, which on the glacier surface are subparallel to the ice foliation and pre-date the surge. This work adds to the range of landforms associated with glacier surges.     

祁连山老虎沟12号冰川冰下形态特征分析

利用探地雷达对老虎沟12号冰川进行了多个剖面观测,分析了雷达图像反映的冰川内部特征.结果表明通过分析雷达图像中的纹理和位置,雷达波形的振幅和极性变化等信息能够有效的辅助识别冰川内部介质的变化界面位置和估算其规模.在老虎沟12号冰川的部分剖面内部存在冰内空洞、冰内融水空洞、冰下裂隙、冰下河等地貌形态,在冰岩界面和冰川边缘存在规模不等的碎屑层.这说明即使在典型的大陆型冰川,冰川内部结构也可能较为复杂,在冰岩界面处可能存在较强的冰川作用.