Mair, D. and Nienow, P. and Willis, I. and Sharp, M. (2001)

Spatial patterns of glacier motion during a high-velocity event: Haut Glacier d'Arolla, Switzerland

Article

Cite key

Mair2001

Language

en

Journal

Journal of Glaciology

Volume

47

Number

156

Pages

9-20

URL

http://docserver.ingentaconnect.com/deliver/connect/igsoc/00221430/v47n156/s2.pdf?expires=1346073587&id=70202311&titleid=6497&accname=Universite+de+Lausanne&checksum=98DE685D63248157B8B40C58F057D6BC

Description

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.