Mechanical tests of ice core samples from Dome GRIP, Greenland

Uniaxial compression tests was conducted with the stress axis inclined 45ﾟ from the core axis so as to have the maximum resolved shear stress parallel to the horizontal plane of the ice core. The results show that ice is quite easy to deform along the horizontal plane as expected from the crystal orientation fabrics. Quantitative interpretations on the strength of ice samples were made in terms of Schmid Factor for basal plane glide of each ice crystal. These findings suggest that the dome could easily adjust the position to a new location by the flow of ice crystals with basal plane horizontal.