The effect of bottom boundary conditions in the ice-sheet to ice-shelf transition zone problem

Author: Wilchinsky, Alexander V.

Source: Journal of Glaciology, Volume 53, Number 182, July 2007 , pp. 363-367(5)

Publisher: International Glaciological Society

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Abstract:

Uniqueness of the transition zone solution is discussed. It is argued that when it is assumed that the stresses are continuous at the grounding line, the ice-shelf solution at the grounding line should possess a zero slope. In order to avoid issues caused by the mathematical singularity of the solution, the same technique as that used to study the transition zone is applied to a similar problem of lifting an elastic sheet from a rigid substrate, which allows a better physical understanding. This exemplifies the effect of the bottom boundary condition of no vertical motion imposed up to a fixed grounding line position, while the forcing parameters, such as the flow rate, vary. Its effect is to produce multiple solutions due to suppression of the separation mechanism.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.3189/002214307783258477

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