Earth Surface Dynamics
Earth Surface Dynamics
ESurf
Articles | Volume 4, issue 1
Articles | Volume 4, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-4-125-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-4-125-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Articles | Volume 4, issue 1
Research article
 | Highlight paper
 | 
27 Jan 2016
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 27 Jan 2016

Efficacy of bedrock erosion by subglacial water flow

F. Beaud, G. E. Flowers, and J. G. Venditti

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Short summary
In regions formerly, or currently, covered by glaciers, landscapes have largely been shaped by glaciers. Glaciers erode bedrock through three main mechanisms: abrasion, quarrying, and subglacial meltwater erosion (SME). The latter, however, remains enigmatic. We present the first numerical modelling study of bedrock erosion by subglacial water and find that SME is negligible compared to abrasion and quarrying across the glacier, but its localization can explain the formation of bedrock channels.
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