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Lateral controls on grounding-line dynamics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 April 2013

Samuel S. Pegler,
Katarzyna N. Kowal,
Leonard Q. Hasenclever and
M. Grae Worster
Samuel S. Pegler*
Affiliation:
Institute of Theoretical Geophysics, Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA, UK
Katarzyna N. Kowal
Affiliation:
Institute of Theoretical Geophysics, Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA, UK
Leonard Q. Hasenclever
Affiliation:
Institute of Theoretical Geophysics, Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA, UK
M. Grae Worster
Affiliation:
Institute of Theoretical Geophysics, Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA, UK
*
†Email address for correspondence: ssp23@cam.ac.uk
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Abstract

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We present a theoretical and experimental study of viscous gravity currents introduced at the surface of a denser inviscid fluid layer of finite depth inside a vertical Hele-Shaw cell. Initially, the viscous fluid floats on the inviscid fluid, forming a self-similar, buoyancy-driven current resisted predominantly by the viscous stresses due to shear across the width of the cell. Once the viscous current contacts the base of the cell, the flow can be considered in two regions: a grounded region in which the current lies in full contact with the base; and a floating region. The subsequent advance of the grounding line separating these regions is shown to be controlled by the thickening of the current associated with balancing the local shear stresses. An understanding of the flow transitions is developed using asymptotic and numerical analysis of a model based on lubrication theory.

JFM classification

Geophysical and Geological Flows: Geophysical and Geological FlowsLow-Reynolds-number flows: Hele-Shaw flowsGeophysical and Geological Flows: Ice sheets

Information

Type
Rapids
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 722 , 10 May 2013, R1
Copyright
©2013 Cambridge University Press

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Pegler et al. supplementary movie

Movie of an experiment showing the evolution of the grounding line.

Download Pegler et al. supplementary movie(Video)
Video 1.9 MB