Iceberg calving during transition from grounded to floating ice: Columbia Glacier, Alaska

Fabian Walter; Shad O’Neel; Daniel McNamara; W.T. Pfeffer; Jeremy N. Bassis; Helen Amanda Fricker

doi:10.1029/2010gl043201

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Iceberg calving during transition from grounded to floating ice: Columbia Glacier, Alaska

Fabian Walter·Shad O’Neel·Daniel McNamara·W.T. Pfeffer·Jeremy N. Bassis·Helen Amanda Fricker

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Abstract

The terminus of Columbia Glacier, Alaska, unexpectedly became ungrounded in 2007 during its prolonged retreat. Visual observations showed that calving changed from a steady release of low-volume bergs, to episodic flow-perpendicular rifting, propagation, and release of very large icebergs - a style reminiscent of calving from ice shelves. Here, we compare passive seismic and photographic observations through this transition to examine changes in calving. Mechanical changes accompany the visible changes in calving style post flotation: generation of seismic energy during calving is substantially reduced. We propose this is partly due to changes in source processes.

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Geophysical Research Letters Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 59.7651° to 61.519° latitude; -150.0077° to -143.6931° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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BibTeX RIS

Fabian Walter, Shad O’Neel, Daniel McNamara, W.T. Pfeffer, Jeremy N. Bassis, Helen Amanda Fricker. 2010-08-07. Iceberg calving during transition from grounded to floating ice: Columbia Glacier, Alaska. https://doi.org/10.1029/2010gl043201

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