What are glacier surges?

Abstract

A total of 204 surging glaciers has been identified in western North America. These glaciers surge repeatedly and probably with uniform periods (from about 15 to greater than 100 years). Ice flow rates during the active phase may range from about 150 m/year to > 6 km/year, and horizontal displacements may range from < 1 to > 11 km. Ice reservoir and ice receiving areas can be defined for surging glaciers, and the reservoir area does not necessarily coincide with the accumulation area. Glaciers of all shapes, sizes, and longitudinal profiles can surge, and no unusual "ice dams" or bedrock constrictions are evident. Surges occur in many different climatic, tectonic, and geologic environments, but only in certain limited areas (mainly in the Alaska, eastern Wrangell, and St. Elias mountains). Three types of surging glaciers are defined: (I) large to moderate-sized glaciers with large displacements and very fast flow, (II) large to moderate glaciers with moderate displacements and flow rates, and (III) small glaciers with small displacements and moderate to fast flow rates. All three types involve an inherent instability which is self-triggered at regular intervals, but with Type I surges an additional (unknown) mechanism produces the very high flow rates.

Surge dynamics in the Nathorstbreen glacier system, Svalbard

“…In previous studies, up-glacier propagation of velocities and crevasses has been related to up-glacier propagation of the surge (e.g. Meier and Post, 1969;Hodgkins and Dowdeswell, 1994;Murray et al, 2003b;Pritchard et al, 2005). We suggest a different interpretation.…”

“…Hence the up-glacier propagation of velocities does not represent an up-glacier propagation of the surge from the initiation area but instead a reaction in the last stage of the ice displacement. Meier and Post (1969) reported that surges in tributary glaciers could trigger surges in the main trunk glacier. We argue that this occurs only if the main trunk is in stage 1 or 2 and is thus ready to reach the final surge stage.…”

“…Folded moraines were also present, and Gripp (1927) took these as indications of glacier advance in these basins. Such formations were later viewed as one of the main characteristic of previous surges (Meier and Post, 1969 Conway (1906) show a narrow passage similar to the current narrow part of the fjord, indicating smaller glacier extent than at present. The maps, however, do not give any information on which of the glaciers at the head of Van Keulenfjorden were involved in the advances and retreats.…”

“…Surges are found both in land-and tidewater-terminating glaciers as well as temperate and polythermal ones. (Meier and Post, 1969;Dolgoushin and Osipova, 1975;Clarke et al, 1984;Cuffey and Patterson, 2010). Based on studies from the temperate Variegated Glacier, Alaska, a hydraulic mechanism was proposed where surges are explained by switches between an efficient tunnel-based basal drainage system and slow linked-cavity system (Kamb et al, 1985;Kamb, 1987).…”

Geometric and thermal evolution of a surge-type glacier in its quiescent state: Trapridge Glacier, Yukon Territory, Canada, 1969–89

“…2) shows the prevailing trends during the quiescent period from 1968 to the present. There has been progressive deglaciation of the surge "receiving area" (Meier and Post, 1969) that had been covered by ice during the previous surge. Concurrent recharging of the "reservoir area" has resulted in the formation of a large wave-like bulge that marks the boundary between reservoir and receiving areas (Fig.…”