Debris Cover Limits Subglacial Erosion and Promotes Till Accumulation
© 2022 The Authors.
| Veröffentlicht in: | Geophysical research letters. - 1984. - 49(2022), 16 vom: 28. Aug., Seite e2022GL099049 |
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| Format: | Online-Aufsatz |
| Sprache: | English |
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2022
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| Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk: | Geophysical research letters |
| Schlagworte: | Journal Article alpine geomorphology debris‐covered glaciers glacier dynamics glacier erosion glacier modeling sediment transport |
| Zusammenfassung: | © 2022 The Authors. Glaciers are commonly conceptualized as bodies composed of snow and ice. Yet, many glaciers contain a substantial amount of rock, especially those abutting steep mountains. Mountain slopes erode, depositing rocks on glaciers below. This loose rock (or debris) is buried in glaciers and melts out lower down creating a debris cover. Debris cover reduces ice melt, which changes the shape and movement of glaciers. Glacier movement, specifically basal sliding, efficiently sculpts landscapes. To date, we know little about the impacts of surface debris on conditions below glaciers. To help remedy this, we run numerical model simulations which show that debris-covered glaciers erode slower than glaciers unaffected by debris. Reduced melt under surface debris lowers sliding speeds and causes sediment to accumulate at the bed, potentially establishing conditions for surging. The influence of surface debris cover on the subglacial environment may hold substantial implications for alpine sediment storage and landscape evolution |
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| Beschreibung: | Date Revised 05.09.2024 published: Print-Electronic Citation Status PubMed-not-MEDLINE |
| ISSN: | 0094-8276 |
| DOI: | 10.1029/2022GL099049 |