Spatial Patterns of Glacier Motion During a High Velocity Event: Haut Glacier d'Arolla, Switzerland

Douglas Watson Fraser Mair, P. Nienow, I. Willis, M. Sharp

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

70 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The surface motion of Haut Glacier d'Arolla, Switzerland, was monitored at a high spatial and temporal resolution. Data are analyzed to calculate surface velocities, surface strain rates and the components of the glacier force budget before, during and after an early melt season speed-up or "spring event" We investigate the extent to which variations in glacier motion can be attributed to hydrologically induced local forcing or to non-local forcing transmitted via horizontal stress gradients. Enhanced glacier motion is dependent on a change in the spatial distribution of areas of high drag across the glacier.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)9-20
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Glaciology
Volume47
Issue number156
Publication statusPublished - 2001

Keywords

  • SUBGLACIAL WATER-PRESSURE
  • DRAINAGE SYSTEM
  • SURFACE VELOCITY
  • FORCE BUDGET
  • FLOW
  • MECHANISM

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