<p>There are many measurements presented in the literature of the velocity profile of a glacier. However, since all profiles will to some extent be dependent on local conditions, I am not sure how useful they will be. A simple alternative would then be to follow the flow profile presented by Nye (1952) where the velocity at some depth <em>u</em>_z in a glacier is related to the surface <em>u</em>_s as (using pseudo-LaTeX syntax):</p>
<pre><code>u_z - u_s = 2A/(n-1) (rga)^n H^(n+1)
</code></pre>
<p>where <em>A</em> is a viscosity related constant (site specific), <em>n</em> = 3, <em>r</em> is the density of ice (900 kg/m^3), <em>g</em> is the gravitational constant, <em>a</em> is the surface slope of the glacier and <em>H</em> is the thickness of the glacier.</p>
<p>The equation allows you to produce a velocity profile from a given set of values of surface slope and ice thickness related to a surface velocity.</p>
<p><strong>Reference:</strong></p>
<p>Nye, J.F. 1952. Mechanics of glacier flow. Journal of Glaciology, 2 (12), 82–93.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-02-24T16:12:43.107Z
Thank you very much for your response. This is an interesting formula that I had not come across yet. I am looking for a way to see this data independent of the assumptions of the Glen Flow Law though. This was my purpose for trying to find real world data. You mentioned that there are many measurements presented in the velocity profile of a glacier. Does this mean you have seen data giving velocities of a glacier at different depths within the glacier? Again thank you!
k12345
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-02-22T21:12:22.807Z
2023-03-01T16:06:30.457Z
2023-03-01T16:06:30.457Z
Peter Jansson
<p>I'm looking for glacier data that provides the velocity at different heights within a glacier. So, ideally I would like data that includes not only velocity at the surface, but also velocity at at different distances below the surface. Figure 2 on page 5 <a href="https://glaciers.gi.alaska.edu/sites/default/files/Notes_icesheetmod_Bueler2014.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a> made me think that I could find velocity at different height values for some glacier. Am I interpreting this graph incorrectly? I'm very new to glaciology.</p>
<p>I read up on the use of inclinometers, which I think could be used to get the type of measurements that I want (again, I'm very new to this, so I could be wrong). However, I searched the databases <a href="https://nsidc.org/apps/itslive/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a>, and <a href="https://nsidc.org/data/search#keywords=glaciers" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here</a> and I could not find any data like what I'm looking for. I can find the surface velocity for the different glaciers, but not the velocity at different depths below the surface of the glaciers.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Does data giving ice velocity at different heights within the glacier exist?</p>
</li>
<li><p>Do we have this type of data for a glacier that could be modeled as a parallel sided slab on slope problem? My main purpose is that I would like some real-world velocity vs <span class="math-container">$z$</span>-coordinate (height) data that I can plot for the parallel-sided slab on slope problem.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<p>Even if you can't tell me where to find this data just knowing if there's a possibility it exists would be very helpful. Thanks!</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-02-23T06:02:15.347Z
searching for plasticity of ice might help you find information about this.
trond hansen
CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-02-26T19:10:55.507Z
@trondhansen can you explain further why you think searching plasticity might help please? I'm very new to all of this. Thanks!
k12345
<glaciology><open-data><climate-data>
Is There Data Describing the Velocity of Different Heights of a Glacier?
k12345
# Is There Data Describing the Velocity of Different Heights of a Glacier?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2023-02-22)

I'm looking for glacier data that provides the velocity at different heights within a glacier. So, ideally I would like data that includes not only velocity at the surface, but also velocity at at different distances below the surface. Figure 2 on page 5 [here](https://glaciers.gi.alaska.edu/sites/default/files/Notes_icesheetmod_Bueler2014.pdf) made me think that I could find velocity at different height values for some glacier. Am I interpreting this graph incorrectly? I'm very new to glaciology.

I read up on the use of inclinometers, which I think could be used to get the type of measurements that I want (again, I'm very new to this, so I could be wrong). However, I searched the databases [here](https://nsidc.org/apps/itslive/), and [here](https://nsidc.org/data/search#keywords=glaciers) and I could not find any data like what I'm looking for. I can find the surface velocity for the different glaciers, but not the velocity at different depths below the surface of the glaciers.

1. Does data giving ice velocity at different heights within the glacier exist?
2. Do we have this type of data for a glacier that could be modeled as a parallel sided slab on slope problem? My main purpose is that I would like some real-world velocity vs $z$-coordinate (height) data that I can plot for the parallel-sided slab on slope problem.

Even if you can't tell me where to find this data just knowing if there's a possibility it exists would be very helpful. Thanks!

**Tags:** glaciology, open-data, climate-data

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: searching for plasticity of ice might help you find information about this.  
> **username_0**: @username_1 can you explain further why you think searching plasticity might help please? I'm very new to all of this. Thanks!  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2023-02-22. Score: 4

There are many measurements presented in the literature of the velocity profile of a glacier. However, since all profiles will to some extent be dependent on local conditions, I am not sure how useful they will be. A simple alternative would then be to follow the flow profile presented by Nye (1952) where the velocity at some depth *u*\_z in a glacier is related to the surface *u*\_s as (using pseudo-LaTeX syntax):

```
u_z - u_s = 2A/(n-1) (rga)^n H^(n+1)

```

where *A* is a viscosity related constant (site specific), *n* = 3, *r* is the density of ice (900 kg/m^3), *g* is the gravitational constant, *a* is the surface slope of the glacier and *H* is the thickness of the glacier.

The equation allows you to produce a velocity profile from a given set of values of surface slope and ice thickness related to a surface velocity.

**Reference:**

Nye, J.F. 1952. Mechanics of glacier flow. Journal of Glaciology, 2 (12), 82–93.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you very much for your response. This is an interesting formula that I had not come across yet. I am looking for a way to see this data independent of the assumptions of the Glen Flow Law though. This was my purpose for trying to find real world data. You mentioned that there are many measurements presented in the velocity profile of a glacier. Does this mean you have seen data giving velocities of a glacier at different depths within the glacier? Again thank you!  

---

