The Physics of Glaciers [antikvár]

PREFACE The aim of this book is to explain the physical principles underlying the behaviour of glaciers and ice sheets, as far as these are understood at the present time. Glaciers have been studied scientifically for more than a century. During this period, interest in the subject has, like the glaciers themselves, waxed and waned. Periods of activity and advance have alternated with periods of stagnation and even of retrogression when erroneous ideas have become part of the conventional wisdom. The past 20 years, however, have seen a major advance in our knowledge. Theories have been developed which have explained many facts previously obscure; improved observational techniques have enabled these theories to be tested and have produced new results still to be explained. This seems an appropriate time to review these recent developments. At present there is, to my knowledge, no book in English which does this. The present book is a modest attempt to fill the gap. To cover the whole field in a short book is impossible. I have tried to select those topics which I feel to be of most significance; but there is undoubtedly some bias towards my own particular interests. While the book is intended primarily for those starting research in the subject, I hope that established workers in glacier studies, and in related fields, will find it useful. The treatment is at about the graduate student level. The standard varies, however, and most chapters should be intelligible to senior undergraduates. I am much indebted to Dr. J. F. Nye for reading the whole manuscript and making many helpful suggestions. I am grateful to Drs. S. J. Jones, G. de Q. Robin and J. Weertman for reviewing individual chapters. I should also like to thank Drs. J. A. vii