Glaciology
The scientific study of glaciers, ice sheets, snow, and all natural ice phenomena in the cryosphere.
Governing formula
Glen's Flow Law: ε̇ = A τ^n (Non-linear ice creep)
SI unit
m/year (Glacier Flow Velocity)
In depth
Investigates glacier accumulation, ablation, ice sheet dynamics, and ice rheology. Glaciers flow via internal plastic deformation (Glen's creep law) and basal sliding under ice overburden pressure.
Examples in the real world
Studying Greenland and Antarctic ice sheet flow velocities using satellite synthetic aperture radar (SAR).