The Physical Processes involved in the Melting of Icebergs (Invited paper)

Abstract

The causes of iceberg deterioration can be discussed under three broad headings: wave-induced melting at the water line; breaking; and melting at the top, bottom, and sides. A short summary of current understanding under the first two headings is presented. It is then argued, under the third heading, that the melt rate at the sides of a tabular Antarctic iceberg is likely to exceed that at the top and bottom. The behaviour of the entraining plume which forms at the side of an iceberg when it melts in water of uniform salinity is outlined. Another form of convection, occurring when the ambient water is stratified, is then described; in this case the melt water spreads out in a series of almost horizontal layers. Finally, field observations on iceberg melting are discussed.