The thickness of glaciers. (4th August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Faraoni, Valerio; Vokey, Marshall W
• Is Part Of: European journal of physics. Volume 36:Number 5(2015:Sep.)
• Publication Date: 2015-08-04
• Subjects: glaciers -- physics curriculum -- glacier thickness -- shear stress; Physics -- Periodicals; Physics -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Europe -- Periodicals; 530
• DOI: 10.1088/0143-0807/36/5/055031
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-0807

Abstract

Abstract: Basic formulae and results of glacier physics appearing in glaciology textbooks can be derived from first principles introduced in algebra-based first year physics courses. We discuss the maximum thickness of alpine glaciers and ice sheets and the relation between maximum thickness and length of an ice sheet. Knowledge of ordinary differential equations allows one to derive also the local ice thickness.