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  Information - CR20 Subglacial environments – properties and processes influencing ice dynamics

Event Information
Subglacial environments are one of the last frontiers of glaciological research and a key component in the dynamic evolution of glaciers and ice sheets. Subglacial environments are characterized by a complex interaction between the ice and the underlying lithosphere, ocean or lake cavity. Processes in subglacial environments encompass hydrological, mechanical and thermodynamical processes, which create not only a unique habitat for life at the ice base. These processes are also creating bed properties, which play a key role in the dynamics of the ice masses and most influential of fast flowing glaciers and ice streams. Coupling of these processes determines the magnitude of basal resistance to ice motion, thereby influencing the velocity and mass balance of an ice mass. Of particular importance for glacier dynamics is basal melt water production and melt water drainage lubricating the glacier bed and in return allowing ice motion. Quantifying the contribution of each of these processes to the character of the subglacial environment, however, remains an outstanding glaciological problem. It is particularly challenging to integrate existing observations and theory describing basal processes on relatively short spatial scales into quantitative models of ice flow that are concerned with much longer spatial scales.

We solicit scientific contributions that relate to this complex relationship between hydrological, mechanical and thermodynamical processes and ice motion/mass balance. Suitable areas of research include but are not limited to: (1) field-based observations of basal processes in different glaciodynamic environments, (2) work on parameterization of basal processes in numerical ice-flow models, (3) laboratory simulations of basal processes, (4) supra/en/subglacial hydrology including changes in the storage of basal water and evolution of subglacial drainage systems, including subglacial lakes.

Preliminary List of Solicited Speakers
Marie Rousselot (ETH): Deformation of subglacial sediment by ploughing: implications for glacier dynamics

Co-Sponsorship

General Statement
The information contained hereafter has been compiled and uploaded by the Session Organizers via the "Organizer Session Form". The Session Organizers have therefore the sole responsibility that this information is true and accurate at the date of publication, and the conference organizer cannot accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may be made, and he makes no warranty, expressed or implied, with regard to the material published.



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