An Application of Two Theoretical Melt Water Drainage Models on Storglaciären and Mikkaglaciären, Northern Sweden

Abstract

The tongue of Mikkaglaciären was radio-echo sounded in May 1983. The results revealed a relatively thin ice cover (max 175 m) lying on a smooth, flat bed. With the use of these radio-echo data and data from Storglaciaren, the equipotentials at the bottom of the glaciers were calculated and the water-flow patterns thus predicted were compared with observations. Tracer experiments carried out by Stenborg on the two glaciers revealed flow patterns that are in good agreement with the equipotential field. The seasonal variation in the drainage pattern of Storglaciaren is herein attributed to changes in the pressure regime in the conduits during the melt season, as has been suggested by Hooke (1984). Differences in the bottom topography and flow dynamics, are believed to be the main causes for the difference in the drainage patterns between the two glaciers.