The Effect of the Subglacial Water Pressure on the Sliding Velocity of a Glacier in an Idealized Numerical Model

Abstract

In order to interpret observed short-term variations of the sliding velocity of a glacier the effect of a variable subglacial water pressure on the sliding velocity has been studied using an idealized numerical model. In particular the transient stages of growing or shrinking water-filled cavities at the ice-bedrock interface were analysed. It was found that the sliding velocity was larger when cavities were growing than when they had reached the steady-state size for a given water pressure. The smallest sliding velocities occurred while cavities were shrinking. When cavitation is substantial a small drop of water pressure below the steady-state value (e.g. by 0.5 bar) can temporarily cause backward sliding. A limiting water pressure at which sliding becomes unstable is derived. The consequences of more realistic assumptions than those of the model are discussed.