Redux: Proposed GLIMS definition of "glacier"

[Frank Paul]

Hi all

Just a small comment why I think the term ice-shelve can be restricted
to Antarctica. The official UNESCO/IAHS definition says:
"A floating ice sheet of considerable thickness attached to a coast,
nourished by glacier(s); snow accumulation on its surface or bottom
freezing."

If we agree that the used term 'ice sheet' refers only to Antarctica and
Greenland, than the situation is clear. However, it is also possible
that they wanted to say 'sheet of ice' instead of 'ice sheet' and then
we can have a much broader application. In particular if the ice shelve
is 'nourished by glacier(s)' this would mean the opposite, e.g. the
Ross Ice Shelve is feeded by an ice sheet (i.e. not a glacier) and can
thus NOT be termed an ice shelve ...

So, I think it is the best when we agree on how we wanted to use the
respective terms and then make it a standard for GLIMS.

Regards, Frank



> > Bruce - There are ice shelves all along the north coast of Ellesmere Island...
> > Martin
>
> Yes, I thought this was the case, which is why I was surprised at the view
> that the term should be restricted to Antartica -- a view I've heard from
> a couple of people.  It seems to me that the restriction to ocean-floating
> ice fed by two or more glaciers suitably weeds out ice tongues and ice
> floating on lakes, which I think should be treated as part of their
> respective glaciers.