Modeling ice cliff stability using a new Mohr-Coulomb-based phase field fracture model
Author(s)
CLAYTON, Theo
DUDDU, Ravindra
HAGEMAN, Tim
MARTÍNEZ-PAÑEDA, Emilio
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Iceberg calving at glacier termini results in mass loss from ice sheets, but the associated fracture mechanics is often poorly represented using simplistic (empirical or elementary mechanics-based) failure criteria. Here, we propose an advanced Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion that drives cracking based on the visco-elastic stress state in ice. This criterion is implemented in a phase field fracture framework, and finite element simulations are conducted to determine the critical conditions that can trigger ice cliff collapse. Results demonstrate that fast-moving glaciers with negligible basal friction are prone to tensile failure causing crevasse propagation far away from the ice front, while slow-moving glaciers with significant basal friction are likely to exhibit shear failure near the ice front. Results also indicate that seawater pressure plays a major role in modulating cliff failure. For land terminating glaciers, full thickness cliff failure is observed if the glacier exceeds a critical height, dependent on cohesive strength 𝜏c (H ≈ 120 m for 𝜏c = 0.5 MPa). For marine-terminating glaciers, ice cliff failure occurs if a critical glacier free-board (H − hw) is exceeded, with ice slumping only observed above the ocean-water height; for 𝜏c = 0.5 MPa, the model-predicted critical free-board is H − hw ≈ 215 m, which is in good agreement with field observations. While the critical free-board height is larger than that predicted by some previous models, we cannot conclude that marine ice cliff instability is less likely because we do not include other failure processes such as hydrofracture of basal crevasses and plastic necking.
Date Issued
2025-03-18
Date Acceptance
2025-03-01
Citation
Journal of Glaciology, 2025, 71, pp.1-14
ISSN
0022-1430
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Start Page
1
End Page
14
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Glaciology
Volume
71
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of International Glaciological Society . This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution and reproduction, provided the original article is properly cited.
License URL
Identifier
10.1017/jog.2025.21
Subjects
calving
fracture mechanics
glaciers
ice-cliffs
phase-field
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN e70
Date Publish Online
2025-03-18