Revisiting Glacier Dynamics for Stationary Approximation of Plane-Parallel Creeping Flow

Abstract

We have presented in this analytical research the revisiting of approach for mathematical modeling the Glacier dynamics in terms of viscous-plastic theory of 2-dimensional movements within (x, y)-plane in cartesian coordinates. The stationary creeping approximation for the plane-parallel flow of slowly moving glacial ice on absolutely flat surface without any inclination has been considered. Even in such simple formulation, equations of motion that governs by the dynamics of viscous-plastic flow of glacial ice is hard to be solved analytically. We have succeeded in obtaining analytical expression for the components of velocity in Ox-direction of motion for slowly moving glacial ice (Ox-axis coincides to the initial main direction of slowly moving glacial ice). Restrictions on the form of flow stem from the continuity equation as well as from the special condition for non-Newtonian (viscous-plastic) flow have been used insofar.