Observations and analysis of self-similar branching topology in glacier networks
Glaciers, like rivers, have a branching structure which can be characterized by topological trees or networks. Probability distributions of various topological quantities in the networks are shown to satisfy the criterion for self-similarity, a symmetry structure which might be used to simplify future models of glacier dynamics. Two analytical methods of describing river networks, Shreve's random topology model and deterministic self-similar trees, are applied to the six glaciers of south central Alaska studied in this analysis. Self-similar trees capture the topological behavior observed for all of the glaciers, and most of the networks are also reasonably approximated by Shreve's theory.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 1996 |
---|---|
Title | Observations and analysis of self-similar branching topology in glacier networks |
DOI | 10.1029/96JB02536 |
Authors | D.B. Bahr, S.D. Peckham |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Journal of Geophysical Research B: Solid Earth |
Index ID | 70018649 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |