Abstract
MEASUREMENTS of the movements of glaciers have hitherto been directed either to approximate determination of the yearly or daily mean velocity, or to showing that the motion of glaciers resembles that of liquids. Some new measurements by Hew Koch and Fr. Klocke (Wied. Ann., No. 12) have been limited to ascertaining the motion of a point of the surtace in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of length of the glacier, with a view to finding the real nature of the glacier's progress, whether continuous and in, the same direction or not. Two scales were placed, one vertical, the other horizontal, being attached to a post, fixed half a metre deep in the ice, and having a cone of ice and débris formed round it. This was, on the west side of the Morteratsch glacier, about 11/2 km. from its principal exteenjity. The observations were made in August and September, the scales being watched by day only, through a fixed telescope with cross-wires. The number of scale parts passing the cross gave the direct and horizontal components of the motion. Another, similar post with scales was set up near, and in the field of vision. The observations proved that the motion of the glacier is by no means uniform, for one and the same point may move. now upwards, no iv downwards, towards the mountain, or towards the valley. Further, two points of the surface, about 50 to 60 metres separate from each other, may, at the same time, move in different, and even in opposite directions.
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Physical Notes . Nature 21, 309–310 (1880). https://doi.org/10.1038/021309a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/021309a0