Relationship between Fracture Mechanics and Heat Transfer in Moulin Formation

A moulin is a narrow, tubular shaft in a glacier that provides a pathway for water to travel from the surface to the glacier’s interior or base. The water at the base serves as lubrication for glacier movement. For some time, it has been widely accepted that water plays a pivotal role in transforming glacier ice fractures into moulins through fracture propagation. However, the minimum water influx rate into preexisting fractures necessary for fracture propagation is unclear. In our study we examine how heat transfer between accumulated water and the fracture walls plays a critical role in fracture propagation. We present a relationship between fracture mechanics and heat transfer, showing the need for rapid ponding to ensure moulin formation. By embedding this relationship within an flow-line ice-stream model, we aim to elucidate where moulin formation is most likely along an ice-stream profile.