Cold-Based Glaciers
Definition and synonyms
Cold-based glaciers are glaciers with their basal part entirely below the pressure melting point and therefore sometimes called “dry-based glaciers” (through lack of liquid water). Floating ice bodies are not considered in this entry.
Antonyms are respectively warm-based glaciers and wet-based glaciers.
This terminology emphasizes the importance of basal conditions of glaciers. In a happy turn of phrase, Knight (1999, p. 78) justifies this point of view telling that the basal part is the “business end” of glaciers because, among other factors, the rheology of the basal ice layer which accommodates the bulk of movement in many glaciers is critical to glacier dynamics and the basal ice acts as an agent of glacier impact on the landscape. In fact, as we will see below, nearly always, it is possible to equate cold-based glaciers with cold glaciers (and warm-based glaciers with warm – or temperate – glaciers). But this dichotomy is too simple an approach because...
Bibliography
- Alley, B., Fahnestock, M., and Joughin, I., 2008. Understanding glacier flow in changing times. Science, 322, 1061–1062.Google Scholar
- Chinn, T. J. H., 1991. Polar glacier margin and debris features. Memorie Della Societa Geologica Italiana, 46, 25–44.Google Scholar
- Cuffey, K. M., Conway, H., Hallet, B., Gades, A. M., and Raymond, C. F., 1999. Interfacial water in polar glaciers and glacier sliding at –17°C. Geophysical Research Letters, 26(6), 751–754.Google Scholar
- Cuffey, K. M., Conway, H., Gades, A. M., Hallet, B., Lorrain, R., Severinghaus, J. P., Steig, E. J., Vaughn, B., and White, J. W. C., 2000. Entrainment at cold glacier beds. Geology, 28, 351–354.Google Scholar
- Echelmeyer, K., and Wang, Z., 1987. Direct observation of basal sliding and deformation of basal drift at subfreezing tremperature. Journal of Glaciology, 45, 361–369.Google Scholar
- Fitzsimons, S. J., 1996. Formation of thrust-block moraines at the margin of dry-based glaciers, South Victoria Land, Antarctica. Annals of Glaciology, 22, 68–74.Google Scholar
- Fitzsimons, S., 2006. Mechanical behaviour and structure of the debris-rich basal ice layer. In Knight, P. G. (ed.), Glacial Science and Environmental Change. Oxford: Blackwell, pp. 329–335.Google Scholar
- Gilpin, R. R., 1979. A model of the liquid-like layer between ice and a substrate with application to wire regelation and particle migration. Journal of Colloid and Interfacial Science, 68, 235–251.Google Scholar
- Hooke, R. Le B., 1977. Basal temperatures in polar ice sheets: a qualitative review. Quaternary Research, 7, 1–13.Google Scholar
- Kleman, J., and Hatterstrand, C., 1999. Frozen-bed Fenoscandian and Laurentide ice shheets during the last Glacial Maximum. Nature, 402, 63–66.Google Scholar
- Knight, P. G., 1999. Glaciers. Cheltenham: Stanley Thornes.Google Scholar
- Lorrain, R., Fitzsimons, S. J., Vandergoes, M. J., and Stiévenard, M., 1999. Ice composition evidence for the formation of basal ice from lake water beneath a cold-based Antarctic glacier. Annals of Glaciology, 28, 277–281.Google Scholar
- Paterson, W. S. B., 1994. The Physics of Glaciers, 3rd edn. Oxford: Burtterworth Heinemann.Google Scholar
- Robinson, P. H., 1984. Ice dynamics and thermal regime of Taylor Glacier, South Victoria Land, Antarctica. Journal of Glaciology, 105, 153–160.Google Scholar
- Samyn, D., Fitzsimons, S., and Lorrain, R., 2005. Strain induced phase changes within cold basal ice from Taylor Glacier, Antarctica indicated by textural and gas analyses. Journal of Glaciology, 51, 611–619.Google Scholar
- Shreve, R. L., 1984. Glacier sliding at subfreezing temperatures. Journal of Glaciology, 30, 341–347.Google Scholar
- Sugden, D. E., and John, B. S., 1976. Glaciers and Landscape. London: Edward Arnold.Google Scholar
- Waller, R. L., 2001. The influence of basal processes on the dynamic behaviour of cold-based glaciers. Quaternary International, 86, 117–128.Google Scholar
- Weertman, J., 1961. Mechanism for the formation of inner moraines found near the edge of cold ice caps and ice sheets. Journal of Glaciology, 3, 965–978.Google Scholar