Crevasse patterns at the onset to Ice Stream B, West Antarctica

Authors: Price, S.F.; Whillans, I.M.

Source: Journal of Glaciology, Volume 47, Number 156, January 2001 , pp. 29-36(8)

Publisher: International Glaciological Society

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Abstract:

Sequential satellite imagery and modeling are used to investigate crevasse patterns at the head of Ice Stream B tributary B1b. The crevasses, informally called the "chromosomes", form at the upstream limit to B1b's northern shear margin and chaotic crevasse zone. We find that the onset to crevasse formation, and by inference the onset to streaming flow, has migrated upstream over time at a mean rate of 230(16) m a⁻¹. A possible cause for that migration is changes in net basal friction due to changes in basal water production rate and storage.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.3189/172756501781832494

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