Two dimensional line element for glacier flow problems

Abstract

A two-dimensional ice creep problem is solved by reducing the quasi-static equilibrium equations to one-dimensional form. The influence of stress variations, through depth of ice mass, on flow field, is accounted for assassuming appropriate stress distributions and then integrating the stress-dependent creep law through the depth to effect relationships between average velocities, strain rates and stresses. An example is presented which demonstrates the appropriateness of the model for the class of problem addressed.