Numerical simulation of glacial-valley cross-section evolution

Abstract

A numerical model for glacial-valley cross-section evolution has been developed. The model allows the simulation of the development of U-shaped valleys by coupling an ice flow model in a transverse section with an erosionmodel. The core of the cross-section development model is the calculation of the two-dimensional flow speed field in a transverse cross-section considering the lateral drag from glacier side walls and the basal-stress dependent sliding speed. Assuming that the glacial erosion is a quadratic function of the sliding speed, the model shows rapid evolution of a V-shaped profile into a recognizable glacial form with sliding velocities ranging from 3 m a - 1 to 8 m a - 1 .