| Abstract: | A simple approach to glacier dynamics is explored in which there is postulated to be a relationship between area and volume with three parameters: the time for area to respond to changes in volume, a thickness scale, and an area characterizing the condition of the initial state. This approach gives a good fit to the measurements of cumulative balance and area on South Cascade Glacier from 1970-97; the area time-scale is roughly 8 years, the thickness scale about 123 m, and the 1970 area roughly 4% larger than required for adjustment with volume. Combining this relationship with a version of mass continuity expressed in terms of area and volume produces a theory of glacier area and volume response to climate in which another time constant, the volume time-scale, appears. Area and volume both respond like a damped spring and mass system. The damping of the South Cascade response is approximately critical, and the volume time-scale is roughly 48 years, six times the area time-scale. The critically damped spring and mass analogy reproduces the time dependence predicted by the more complicated traditional theory of Nye. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70026212 |
| Citation Author: | Harrison, W. D.; Raymond, C. F.; Echelmeyer, K. A.; Krimmel, R. M. |
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| Citation End Page: | 21 |
| Citation Issue: | 164 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Journal of Glaciology |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 9 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | A macroscopic approach to glacier dynamics; 2003; Article; Journal; Journal of Glaciology; Harrison, W. D.; Raymond, C. F.; Echelmeyer, K. A.; Krimmel, R. M. |
| Citation Start Page: | 13 |
| Citation Volume: | 49 |
| Citation Year: | 2003 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | A macroscopic approach to glacier dynamics; 2003; Article; Journal; Journal of Glaciology; Harrison, W. D.; Raymond, C. F.; Echelmeyer, K. A.; Krimmel, R. M. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Wed, 1 Jan 2003 00:00 -0600 |
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