The Debris Content of Surging Glaciers in Svalbard and Iceland

Abstract

In Svalbard and Iceland there appears to be much more debris entrained in glaciers that surge than in those which do not. Conditions particularly favourable for the basal incorporation of debris develop as a consequence of the high flow velocities attained by a surge. These are increased cavitation in the lee of obstacles and an increased supply of basal melt water resulting from frictional heat and from the trigger zone. Layers of regelation ice incorporating debris can thus develop to a much greater vertical and horizontal extent than in non-surging glaciers. Excessive shearing, and the distortion of foliation structures in the terminal zone of compressive flow, enhance the vertical development of the debris-rich regelation layers. Glaciers that surge over outwash and/or fjord-bottom sediments become particularly rich in debris.