Effect of a Basal Water Layer on the Dimensions of Ice Sheets

Abstract

AbstractThe effect of a basal water layer on the equilibrium dimensions of an ice sheet is examined. A thick water layer can decrease the equilibrium thickness of an ice sheet such as covers Antarctica (which contains no significant ablational areas) by a factor of the order of 2. Similar large changes in the equilibrium dimensions occur for ice-age ice sheets (which have extensive ablation areas). The extent of the ablation area of an ice-age ice sheet which may be covered with morainal debris is also calculated.