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"Subglacial Drainage is now recognised as one of the most important branches of Glaciology". Evaluate This Statement.
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"Subglacial Drainage is now recognised as one of the most important branches of Glaciology". Evaluate This Statement. "The hydrological component of glacial systems is of great significance to the description and flow regime of glaciers" (Iken, 1981) in turn relating to many human interests. Water supplies in Central Asia and the Canadian highlands depend upon glacial drainage for much of the year for irrigation purposes. In Alpine glaciated regions such as the Swiss and French Alps and Norway, relying on such concentrated water systems is essential for hydroelectric power. Knowledge of glacial drainage also seems essential to calculate sudden drainage events or outburst floods from ice dams, which have threatened areas of Peru, Iceland and Alaska for centuries. Sub glacial drainage also influences basal flow, which feeds back to manipulate glacier motion and therefore provides feasible explanations for flow dynamics and surge events. It is this subglacial component of glacial...
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