In ice flow modelling, the use of control methods to assimilate the dynamic and geometric state of an ice body has become common practice. These methods have primarily focussed on inverting for one of the two least known properties in glaciology, namely the basal friction coefficient or the ice viscosity parameter. Here, we present an approach to infer both properties simultaneously for the who...

This paper addresses the coefficient of kinetic friction of relatively warm ice (-50 °C) sliding slowly (<1 m s) over itself and presents physical models to account for two characteristics: velocity-strengthening at lower speeds and velocity-weakening at higher speeds. The models are based upon a combination of creep deformation within a near-surface zone and frictional heating cum localized me...

In the future, Arctic warming and the melting of polar glaciers will be considerable, but the magnitude of both is uncertain. We used a global climate model, a dynamic ice sheet model, and paleoclimatic data to evaluate Northern Hemisphere high-latitude warming and its impact on Arctic icefields during the Last Interglaciation. Our simulated climate matches paleoclimatic observations of past wa...

A massive rock/ice avalanche of about 100×106 m3 volume took place on the northern slope of the Kazbek massif, North Ossetia, Russian Caucasus, on 20 September 2002. The avalanche started as a slope failure, that almost completely entrained Kolka glacier, traveled down the Genaldon valley for 20 km, was stopped at the entrance of the Karmadon gorge, and was finally succeeded by a distal mudflow...

The dynamics of Vestfonna ice cap (Svalbard) are dominated by fast-flowing outlet glaciers. Its mass balance is poorly known and affected dynamically by these fast-flowing outlet glaciers. Hence, it is a challenging target for ice flow modeling. Precise knowledge of the basal conditions and implementation of a good sliding law are crucial for the modeling of this ice cap. Here we use the full-S...

Solutions of the nonlinear water wave equations under an ice sheet are computed using a boundary integral equation method. The ice sheet is modelled as a thin elastic plate and the fluid equations are nonlinear. Depending on the velocity of the moving disturbance generating the flow, different types of responses of the floating ice sheet are discussed.

Ice accumulation hinders the performance of, and poses safety threats for, infrastructure both on the ground and in the air. Previously, rationally designed superhydrophobic surfaces have demonstrated some potential as a passive means to mitigate ice accretion; however, further studies on material solutions that reduce impalement and the contact time for impacting supercooled droplets (high vis...

Arcuate glacier structures known as ogives are common to valley glaciers flowing below large icefalls and form annually. Long sequences comprising tens of ogives are often preserved on glacier surfaces. We explore their utility as unique sources of information about glacier behavior. Our investigation concentrates on two main objectives: (1) to assess any correlation between an ogive train and ...