The formation of supraglacial debris covers by primary dispersal from transverse englacial debris bands

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
Glaciological controls on debris cover formation are investigated from the perspective of primary dispersal of supraglacial debris across a melting ice surface. This involves the migration of angled debris septa outcrops across a melting, thinning glacier ablation zone. First, simple geometric relations between englacial septa and the supraglacial debris load are outlined to elucidate the role of glaciological variables (gradient, ice motion, ablation, rate of glacier thinning) on debris cover formation. Second, these relations are quantified at a small alpine glacier (Glacier d'Estelette, Italian Alps) to present an explanatory model of why certain parts of the glacier are becoming more rapidly debris-covered than others. Finally, the implications of the model for the debris-cover transition are discussed in relation to the sensitivity of different glacier terminus types to debris-cover formation.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Earth surface processes and landforms, issn : 0197-9337, 2013, vol. 38, n°. 15, p. 1779-1792, nombre de pages : 14, Références bibliographiques : 2 p.

Date :
2013

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley