The character, structure and origin of the basal layer of a surge-type glacier
Résumé
The basal ice layer of surge-type Variegated Glacier, Alaska, appears to have formed by a combination of (i) open-system freezing of subglacial meltwaters over both rigid and unconsolidated substrates; (ii) apron overriding during surge-induced glacier advance; (iii) incorporation of glacier ice by recumbent folding, thrust-faulting and nappe overriding during down-glacier propagation of a surge front; and (iv) post-formational metamorphism involving recrystallization, partial internal melting and squeezing out of meltwaters and dissolved gases. Structural evidence and the characteristics of debris entrained in ice facies formed by basal freezing suggest that the layer includes a lower element formed under surge conditions and an upper element formed during the quiescent phase of a surge cycle. The lower element is depleted in comminution products and enriched in medium gravel, while the upper element contains comminution products but virtually no medium gravel. This distinction is attributed to the efficiency of bedrock fracture and meltwater flushing of comminution products under surge conditions. The basal ice layer thickens from 13m down-glacier in a manner consistent with the magni tu de of horizon tal shortening ind uced by the 1982-83 surge. Thickening is largely tectonic in origin, and the style and intensity of folding and thrust faulting change down-glacier as the magnitude of horizontal shortening increases. Tectonic processes associated with the down-glacier propagation of surge fronts therefore appear to be capable of creating thick basal ice layers which allow extensive supraglacial sedimentation of subglacially derived debris.
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