Micro-Dynamics of Ice

摘要

By the common definitions of a mineral and a rock, ice is both a mineral and a rock. Contrary to common silicate and carbonate minerals, ice is close to its melting temperature under natural conditions, and can therefore deform by ductile flow at the Earth's surface. Mountain glaciers and polar ice sheets flow at rates that are observable on human time scales, orders of magnitude faster than usually assumed for other rocks. Ice, therefore, provides a unique opportunity to observe and study rock deformation "live".