Articles | Volume 11, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-1283-2017
https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-11-1283-2017
Research article
 | 
30 May 2017
Research article |  | 30 May 2017

Iceberg calving of Thwaites Glacier, West Antarctica: full-Stokes modeling combined with linear elastic fracture mechanics

Hongju Yu, Eric Rignot, Mathieu Morlighem, and Helene Seroussi

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Cited articles

Anderson, T. L.: Fracture Mechanics: Fundamentals and Applications, 3rd Edn., CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, FL, USA, 2005.
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Blatter, H.: Velocity And Stress-Fields In Grounded Glaciers: A Simple Algorithm For Including Deviatoric Stress Gradients, J. Glaciol., 41, 333–344, 1995.
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Short summary
We combine 2-D ice flow model with linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) to model the calving behavior of Thwaites Glacier, West Antarctica. We find the combination of full-Stokes (FS) model and LEFM produces crevasses that are consistent with observations. We also find that calving is enhanced with pre-existing surface crevasses, shorter ice shelves or undercut at the ice shelf front. We conclude that the FS/LEFM combination is capable of constraining crevasse formation and iceberg calving.