The control of short-term ice mélange weakening episodes on calving activity at major Greenland outlet glaciers

Abstract - 1 ∼ 75  % of all detected calving events were preceded by an IMW episode. These results therefore present the IMW process as a clear control on the calving activity of Kangerdlugssuaq Glacier. Finally, using a simple numerical model for ice mélange motion, we showed that a slightly biased random motion of ice floes without fluctuating external forcing can reproduce IMW events and their cyclic influence and explain observed propagation speeds. These results further support our observations in characterizing the IMW process as self-sustained through the existence of an IMW–calving feedback. This study therefore highlights the importance of short-term ice mélange dynamics in the longer-term evolution of Greenland outlet glaciers.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: The control of short-term ice mélange weakening episodes on calving activity at major Greenland outlet glaciers ; volume:17 ; number:1 ; year:2023 ; pages:309-326 ; extent:18 ; The Cryosphere ; 17, Heft 1 (2023), 309-326 (gesamt 18)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Wehrlé, Adrien ; Lüthi, Martin ; Vieli, Andreas

Further information

• DOI: 10.5194/tc-17-309-2023
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2023033008125753680975
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:55 AM CEST