Theory 16/Phase & ice/Glacier sliding
Sliding Is Melt Against Roughness
The claim
Glacier sliding speed is set by the ratio of basal meltwater production to bed roughness, so a smooth bed with meltwater slides fastest.
01Mechanism
Water reduces friction while roughness provides restraint; the ratio sets the velocity.
02Prediction
Speed should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Speed tracking ice thickness alone would remove basal conditions.