Subglacial decoupling at the sediment/bedrock interface: a new mechanism for rapid flowing ice

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Abstract

On millennial or even centennial time scales, the activity of rapid flowing ice can affect climate variability and global sea level through release of meltwater into the ocean and positive feedback loops to the climate system. At the surge-type glacier Brúarjökull, an outlet of the Vatnajökull ice cap, eastern Iceland, extremely rapid ice flow was sustained by overpressurized water causing decoupling beneath a thick sediment sequence that was coupled to the glacier. This newly discovered mechanism has far reaching consequences for our understanding of fast-flowing ice and its integration with sediment discharge and meltwater release.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2704-2712
Number of pages9
JournalQuaternary Science Reviews
Volume25
Issue number21-22
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2006

Bibliographical note

Funding Information: Financial support for this study was received from the Swedish National Research Council (Kurt H. Kjær, contract no. 621-2002-4753), The Royal Physiographic Society in Lund, Crafoord Foundation, Landsvirkjun, the University of Iceland Research Fund, Icelandic Research Council (Rannís) and the Danish Natural Research Council.

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