Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Glaciology

Rights and Access Note

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Publication Date

1985

First Page

39

Last Page

48

Issue Number

107

Volume Number

31

Abstract/ Summary

Thermal convection in the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets has been dismissed on the grounds that radio-echo stratigraphy is undisturbed for long distances. However, the undisturbed stratigraphy lies, for the most part, above the density inversion in polar ice sheets and therefore does not disprove convection. An echo-free zone is widespread below the density inversion, yet nobody has cited this as a strong indication that convection is indeed present at d�pth. A generalized Rayleigh criterion for thermal convection in e1astic-viscoplastic polycrystalline solids heated from below is developed and applied to ice-sheet convection. An infinite Rayleigh number at the onset of primary creep decreases with time and becomes constant when secondary creep dominates, suggesting that any thermal buoyancy stress can initiate convection but convection cannot be sustained below a buoyancy stress of about 3 kPa. An analysis of the temperature profile down the Byrd Station core hole suggests that about 1000 m of ice below the density inversion will sustain convection. Creep along the Byrd Station strain network, radar sounding in East Antarctica, and seismic sounding in West Antarctica are examined for evidence of convective creep superimposed on advective creep. It is concluded that the evidence for convection is there, if we look for it with the intention offinding it.

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Hughes, T, 1985, Thermal Convection in Ice Sheets: We Look But Do Not See: Journal of Glaciology, v. 31, p. 39-48. Available on publisher's site at: http://www.igsoc.org/journal/31/107/igs_journal_vol31_issue107_pg39-48.pdf

Publisher Statement

© Copyright 1985 by the International Glaciological Society

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