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Direct Observation of the Mechanism of Glacier Sliding over Bedrock

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Glaciers and Glacial Erosion

Part of the book series: The Geographical Readings series ((GR))

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Abstract

It has been demonstrated by direct observation in tunnels and by measurements of ice deformation in boreholes that an important mechanism in the flow of temperate glaciers is sliding of the ice over the bedrock at its base. Basal sliding or slip (R. P. Sharp, 1954, p. 826) normally accounts for the order of 50 per cent of the total surface velocity of typical valley glaciers in their thicker parts, the remainder being due to internal deformation within the ice (J. A. F. Gerrard, M. F. Perutz and A. Roch, 1952; J. G. McCall, 1952; W. H. Mathews, 1959; R. L. Shreve, 1961; J. C. Savage and W. S. B. Paterson, 1963).

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Authors

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Clifford Embleton

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© 1972 Macmillan Publishers Limited

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Kamb, B., LaChapelle, E. (1972). Direct Observation of the Mechanism of Glacier Sliding over Bedrock. In: Embleton, C. (eds) Glaciers and Glacial Erosion. The Geographical Readings series. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-15480-7_13

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