Continuity comes first: recent progress in understanding subglacial deformation

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Abstract
Subglacial till deformation is glaciologically and geologically important, but is difficult to model owing to numerous uncertainties related to till generation and the flow law for till deformation. I review recent results with the hope of at least focusing the uncertainties. Fine-grained subglacial tills often are sufficiently soft that continuity issues are more important than the ‘flow law’ of the till in affecting glacier behavior. Non-steady forcing, coarse clasts and an irregular ice-till contact favour till deformation to significant depths and thus rapid subglacial transport of till. Over long times, site history is important in till continuity and thus in glacier behaviour.