Open Access Repository
Implementing an empirical scalar constitutive relation for ice with flow-induced polycrystalline anisotropy in large-scale ice sheet models
Altmetric
Altmetric
ORCID: 0000-0002-2324-2120, Morlighem, M, Warner, RC ORCID: 0000-0002-9778-3544 and Treverrow, A ORCID: 0000-0003-4666-0488 2018
, 'Implementing an empirical scalar constitutive relation for ice with flow-induced polycrystalline anisotropy in large-scale ice sheet models'
, Cryosphere, vol. 12
, pp. 1047-1067
, doi: https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2017-54.
|
PDF
116818 final.pdf | Download (5MB) | Preview |
Abstract
The microstructural evolution that occurs in polycrystalline ice during deformation leads to the development of anisotropic rheological properties that are not adequately described by the most common, isotropic, ice flow relation used in large-scale ice sheet models – the Glen flow relation. We present a preliminary assessment of the implementation in the Ice Sheet System Model (ISSM) of a computationally-efficient, empirical, scalar, tertiary, anisotropic rheology (ESTAR). The effect of this anisotropic rheology on ice flow dynamics is investigated by comparing idealised simulations using ESTAR with those using the isotropic Glen flow relation, where the latter includes a flow enhancement factor. For an idealised embayed ice shelf, the Glen flow relation overestimates velocities by up to 17 % when using an enhancement factor equivalent to the maximum value prescribed by ESTAR. Importantly, no single Glen enhancement factor can accurately capture the spatial variations in flow over the ice shelf. For flow-line studies of idealised grounded flow over a bumpy topography or a sticky base – both scenarios dominated at depth by bed-parallel shear – the differences between simulated velocities using ESTAR and the Glen flow relation vary according to the value of the enhancement factor used to calibrate the Glen flow relation. These results demonstrate the importance of describing the anisotropic rheology of ice in a physically realistic manner, and have implications for simulations of ice sheet evolution used to reconstruct paleo-ice sheet extent and predict future ice sheet contributions to sea level.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Authors/Creators: | Graham, FS and Morlighem, M and Warner, RC and Treverrow, A |
| Keywords: | ice dynamics, rheology |
| Journal or Publication Title: | Cryosphere |
| Publisher: | Copernicus GmbH |
| ISSN: | 1994-0432 |
| DOI / ID Number: | https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2017-54 |
| Copyright Information: | Copyright Author(s) 2018. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ |
| Related URLs: | |
| Item Statistics: | View statistics for this item |
Actions (login required)
 |
Item Control Page |