3-D Flow Field

Surface and englacial measurements of velocity components are used to construct flow values on a three-dimensional grid. Interpolation is done using a iterative scheme that utilizes a biharmonic cubic spline function. Computer hardware and software specifically designed for visualization are used to display the 3-D gridded data. Preliminary results suggest:

• The 3-dimensional flow field is complex, even with the relatively simple geometry of the study reach.
• Flow lines are not always uniform and parallel with the bed, surface, or each other. While flow models might be able to predict the greater flow field, the finer details are too complex for numerical simulation by simple models.

Down-glacier component of velocity measured over a 3 month summer period. Vertical yellow lines represent boreholes used for englacial velocity measurements.