Accelerated Ablation at A Glacier Ice-Cliff Margin, Dry Valleys, Antarctica

Abstract

Cliffed margins of cold glaciers are common in polar regions and are an important source of meltwater. Because of low sun angles, the cliff face receives more solar radiation than does the upper glacier surface and therefore melts at a faster rate. Ablation of an ice-cliff is particularly enhanced, and melt is initiated early in the season where the cliff impinges against a steep (rock) slope. On subdued ice cliffs which do not calve, differential ablation can form ice terraces, which in turn increase ablation by increasing the area of ice-cliff faces.