Time-Dependent Modelling of the Wave-Induced Vibration of Ice Shelves

Abstract

This work presents an investigation of ice shelf vibration using a model based on shallow water approximation. The study focused on the effect of changes in the draft on the vibration of the ice shelf and presents both time-domain and frequency-domain results. The model used a radiation condition for energy propagation into the ice shelf. Furthermore, an energy balance relation was derived to investigate the energy flow within the system. Results show that changes in the draft can significantly impact the ice shelf’s vibration and that the energy flow within the system is affected by the geometry of the ice shelf. Results are presented for the interaction of wave packets in the time domain with the ice shelf. These show that energy is reflected and transmitted by the ice shelf and that the motion of the wave packets is very different in the ice shelf than in the open water. Overall, this study provides insight into the dynamics of ice shelf vibration and highlights the importance of considering changes in the draft and using the time domain when modelling these phenomena.

Keywords

• ice shelf
• wave scattering
• energy conservation
• variable depth
• shallow water
• time domain