Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Glaciology

Publisher

International Glaciological Society

Publication Date

2004

Volume

50

Issue

171

Disciplines

Computer Sciences

Abstract

The floating terminal of Jakobshavn Isbræ, the fastest Greenland ice stream, has disintegrated since 2002, resulting in a doubling of ice velocity and rapidly lowering inland ice elevations. Conditions prior to disintegration were modeled using control theory in a plane-stress solution, and the Missoula model of ice-shelf flow. Both approaches pointed to a mechanism that inhibits ice flow and that is not captured by either approach. Jamming of flow, an inherent property of granular materials passing through a constriction (Jakobshavn Isfjord), is postulated as the mechanism. Rapid disintegration of heavily crevassed floating ice accompanies break-up of the ice jam.

DOI

10.3189/172756504781829729

Comments

© 2004, International Glaciological Society. View original published article at 10.3189/172756504781829729 .

Share

COinS