EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Marshall & Clarke 1997
Marshall, S.J. and Clarke, G.K.C. (1997). A continuum mixture model of ice stream thermomechanics in the Laurentide Ice Sheet 2. Application to the Hudson Strait Ice Stream. Journal of Geophysical Research 102: doi: 10.1029/97JB01189. issn: 0148-0227.

Episodic exportations of ice-rafted debris to the North Atlantic in the late Pleistocene suggest quasiperiodic ice streaming or surging activity on the northeastern margin of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. Much of this efflux of ice may originate from an ice stream issuing from Hudson Strait and tapping into core regions of the Laurentide in Hudson Bay, Labrador, and the Foxe Basin. Applying the continuum mixture theory outlined by Marshall and Clarke , we model the thermomechanical evolution of the Hudson Strait Ice Stream in a three-dimensional finite difference model of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. Our simulations focus on internal dynamics of the ice stream. Under thermal regulation of basal flow we find surge cycles of stream activity interspersed with quiescent periods where the ice stream is frozen to the bed. Modeled surge durations vary from 105 to 3260 years, while surge periodicities range from 585 to 22,410 years. With pervasively warm or cold internal temperature distributions in the ice, ice streams can also establish modes of permanent activity or inactivity under thermal regulation. Our most vigorous ice streams produce peak values of approximately 0.03 Sv of freshwater flux to the North Atlantic from basal meltwater and iceberg production. Associated ice stream velocities in this maximum case approach 6700 m yr-1. The total ice volume mobilized in a single surge event is equivalent to a global sea level rise of 0.04 m in the most tranquil surge and almost 0.6 m in the most extreme case. These velocities and sea level impacts are an order of magnitude less than those predicted by MacAyeal <1993a,b>, and only our most exuberant streams approach the iceberg flux estimates of Dowdeswell et al. <1995>. We propose that the sediment load of icebergs emanating from Hudson Strait in a surge event may exceed expectations from contemporary icebergs.¿ 1997 American Geophysical Union

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Hydrology, Glaciology, Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics, Paleoclimatology, Global Change, Climate dynamics
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit