Abstract
The initiation and evolution of ice sheets are investigated using a two-dimensional thermo-mechanical ice-sheet model. The importance of the amount of snow accumulation on the ice sheet initiation is summarised in the following three points: (1) an ice sheet can grow from an initial area of less than 50 km diameter with a positive but large-enough accumulation rate; (2) the pattern of multiple steady-state solution branches critically depends on the surface mass balance; and (3) snow accumulation strongly controls the growth rate of the ice mass, which is crucial for ice sheets evolving in the limited time available during Milankovitch cycles.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
