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The Application of the Shallow-Ice Approximation

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Theoretical Glaciology

Part of the book series: Mathematical Approaches to Geophysics ((MAAG,volume 1))

Abstract

In the previous chapter, the nearly parallel-sided ice slab was thoroughly analysed; in particular, its steady-state response was treated, and it was shown how small-amplitude bottom protuberances affect surface topography, basal stresses and surface velocities. Attention was restricted to plane motion and to ice slabs for which the mean bed and mean surface were plane and strictly parallel so that the mean ice thickness was constant. In reality, this is only approximately correct as it is well known that ice-sheet thicknesses may vary from up to 3000 m inland or more to zero thickness at the snout. On length scales which are comparable with the extension of the ice sheet, the assumption of small variations about a parallel-sided ice slab is thus unrealistic. On the other hand, calculations, as those performed in Chapter 4, must be limited to length scales for which ice-sheet thicknesses do not deviate appreciably from a layer with a constant thickness.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland

    Kolumban Hutter

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  1. Kolumban Hutter
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© 1983 D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, Holland

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Hutter, K. (1983). The Application of the Shallow-Ice Approximation. In: Theoretical Glaciology. Mathematical Approaches to Geophysics, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-1167-4_5

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