Glaciological Features in the Initial Quiescent Phase of Kuannersuit Glacier, Greenland

Authors: Yde, Jacob Clement; Knudsen, N. Tvis

Source: Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography, Volume 87, Number 3, October 2005 , pp. 473-485(13)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $48.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

This paper describes glaciological features observed on the surface of the large outlet glacier Kuannersuit Glacier on Disko Island, West Greenland, during its initial quiescent phase after a major surge event occurred in 1995–98 in order to classify the glaciomorphological surge system. Focus is on surge features either associated with active surging such as a propagating surge front and serac formation or formed as a consequence of surging such as looped medial moraines and potholes; and on hydrological features related to the evolution of the glacier drainage system such as the supraglacial routing, moulin types and chasms. A chronological glaciomorphological model of the initial quiescent phase of Kuannersuit Glacier, which can be regarded as representative for large outlet surge-type glaciers with terrestrial terminal regime and long quiescent phase, is proposed.

Keywords: surge-type glaciers; geomorphological systems; glaciological features; glacier hydrology; Greenland

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0435-3676.2005.00272.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Earth Sciences, University of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark

Publication date: 2005-10-01