We are pleased to share a groundbreaking study recently published in the Journal of Glaciology by Geography Ph.D. Candidate, Christopher Roland Theiss, Professor Kurt M. Cuffey, and colleagues from UC Berkeley and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The research provides a sophisticated new look at quarrying—the process by which glaciers "pluck" large blocks of rock from their beds—which is one of the most powerful yet least understood forces of nature.
While scientists have long known that glaciers erode the landscapes beneath them, precisely how they manage to break and remove solid bedrock has remained a mystery. Using a state-of-the-art numerical model, the team simulated how stress, deformation, and fracturing co-evolve in different rock types, such as strong granite and weaker sandstone.
Understanding these mechanics is essential for predicting how glaciers will continue to reshape our planet in a changing climate. This work helps scientists better analyze everything from the production of glacial sediment to the formation of the dramatic mountain landscapes we see today. Read the entire study here!