Ice sheets. Reverse glacier motion during iceberg calving and the cause of glacial earthquakes.

Nearly half of Greenland's mass loss occurs through iceberg calving, but the physical mechanisms operating during calving are poorly known and in situ observations are sparse. We show that calving at Greenland's Helheim Glacier causes a minutes-long reversal of the glacier's horizontal flow and a downward deflection of its terminus. The reverse motion results from the horizontal force caused by iceberg capsize and acceleration away from the glacier front. The downward motion results from a hydrodynamic pressure drop behind the capsizing berg, which also causes an upward force on the solid Earth. These forces are the source of glacial earthquakes, globally detectable seismic events whose proper interpretation will allow remote sensing of calving processes occurring at increasing numbers of outlet glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica.

Scales and effects of fluid flow in the upper crust.

Two of the most important agents of geological change, solar energy and internal heat from the mantle, meet and battle for dominance in propelling aqueous and related fluids in the earth's upper crust. Which prevails and how they interact are subjects of active research. Recent work has demonstrated that both agents can propel fluids over nearly continental-scale distances in a fashion that influences a host of important geological processes and leaves a record in chemical alteration, mineral deposits, and hydrocarbon resources.