| Term: | Kinematic-equation method |
| Definition: |
A method of determining the spatial distribution of the mass balance by solving the equation of the kinematic boundary condition at the surface for the ice-equivalent mass-balance rate bb as a function of the rate of change hh of the ice-equivalent thickness, the spatial gradient of the thickness h (usually approximated by the inclination of the surface), and the velocity at the surface uub hu b hu huhh V hu Vhuh hhhhu h H , where subscripts H and V denote horizontal and vertical vector components respectively of uu. It is assumed that the basal ice velocity is zero, for example because the ice is frozen to the bed. IHPGlacierMassBalance
GCW |