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Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/tcd-6-4123-2012
https://doi.org/10.5194/tcd-6-4123-2012
26 Sep 2012
 | 26 Sep 2012
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal TC. A revision for further review has not been submitted.

Mechanical effect of mélange-induced buttressing on embayment-terminating glacier dynamics

D. Seneca Lindsey and T. K. Dupont

Abstract. Embayment terminating glaciers interact dynamically with seasonal sea ice and icebergs, a mixture we refer to as mélange. For certain glaciers, mélange prevents calved bergs from rotating away from the front, thus allowing the ice front to advance into the embayment. Here we demonstrate that mélange can, if rigid enough, provide sufficient buttressing to reduce the calving rate, while leaving the ice-front velocity largely unaffected. The net result is additional ice-front advance.

Observations indicate a seasonal advance/retreat cycle has occurred at Jakobshavn Isbræ since the 1950s. We model an idealized Jakobshavn Isbræ-like scenario and find that mélange may be responsible for a seasonal ice-front advance of up to 0.6 km. These results come from a model that incorporates mélange into the interior of the domain, includes relevant stresses, and models drag via a kinematic boundary condition. A weakening or loss of mélange due to increasing temperatures would lead to further mass loss from glaciers such as Jakobshavn Isbræ.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
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