Transition to marine ice cliff instability controlled by ice thickness gradients and velocity

Cliff collapse Tall ice cliffs at the edges of sheets can under their own weight in spectacular fashion, a process that considerably hasten sheet mass loss. Bassis et al. used dynamic model to demonstrate this kind be slowed either by upstream thinning or resistive forces from sea and calved debris (see Perspective Golledge Lowry). Conversely, when there is thickening, transition catastrophic occur. Science , abf6271, issue p. 1342 ; see also abj3266, 1266