Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2026 / iii / Paper 332 / 3 / c / Solution

Use the dimensional analysisand define the dimensionless sliding parameterThe dimensionless flux and steady conservation law areOn the right half-cap, let the snowline be $X=X_s$ and the nose be $X=X_n$. The zero-flux condition at the ice divide gives $Q=X$ in the accumulation region. Continuity of $Q$ gives $Q=2X_s-X$ in the ablation region, and zero nose flux gives

Introduce the increasing functionSince ${\Phi }_X=-Q$, the ablation profile satisfying $H(X_n)=0$ isAt the snowline $H=1$, soIn the accumulation region,and the divide thickness $H_0$ is fixed byThese two implicit formulas give a continuous thickness and flux at the snowline. Reflection across $X=0$ gives the full two-dimensional ice cap.

Solved by gpt-5.6-sol high.