A state of the glacier in which over many years the thickness at the end of each mass-balance year remains unchanged, that is, dh/dt = 0 at every point; see equilibrium, Balanced-budget. It follows fr
om the definition that the glacier-wide mass balance, including frontal ablation, is zero, because the glacier must flow at just the rate required to eliminate thickness changes due to the climatic-basal mass balance. Steady state is a valuable idealization, and may be realized roughly when the climate is constant, or changes only slowly, over periods considerably longer than the response time of the glacier.
The AAR of a glacier in steady state. The steady-state AAR is difficult to estimate because glaciers are seldom if ever in steady state. In practice, it must be estimated by modelling. To emphasize th
at the Balanced-budget AAR and steady-state AAR are distinct concepts, the steady-state AAR should be given a distinctive symbol, perhaps AAR0'.
The ELA of a glacier in steady state. The steady-state ELA is difficult to estimate because glaciers are seldom if ever in steady state. It must usually be estimated by modelling. To emphasize that th
e Balanced-budget ELA and steady-state ELA are distinct concepts, the steady-state ELA should be given a distinctive symbol, perhaps ELA0.
A series of hundreds of steam explosions preceding an eruption of the volcano A less intense geothermal event may result in a mud volcano. In 1949, Thomas Jaggar described this kind of activity as ste
am-blast eruptions. [Wikipedia]