2. Glacier ice: definitions and dynamics

The shape and size of glacier ice bodies (their morphology) is dictated by the interplay between climate and topography, and a classification scheme has been adopted to cover all the variants that lie on a spatial and temporal continuum of morphologies. ‘Glacier ice: definitions and dynamics’ explains that in any one location over time different glacier morphologies may evolve. It describes how water as a liquid is fundamental to glacial processes, and considers a range of glacier dynamics and flow mechanics, including the processes and causes of ice deformation, creeping ice, sliding beds, and glacial surge. It also explains subglacial bed deformation, a relatively newly discovered process that emerged only in the 1970s.