One might well ask why one should write a book about so specialized a subject as glacier mechanics when there are already other good books on this subject written by eminent glaciologists. This book is an outgrowth of a course that I teach to students who, in many cases, do not have any background in continuum mechanics. Consequently, it was necessary to start at a level considerably less advanced than that at which other similar books begin, and to develop the theoretical principles one step at a time. Thus, unlike other books on the subject and the general scientific literature, in which space is at a premium, the steps leading from one equation to another are, in most cases, easily seen. In addition, qualitative interpretations of the equations are often provided to clarify the physics behind the mathematics. Capable students with a solid background in basic physics and in differential and integral calculus, and with some modest exposure to differential equations, will have little difficulty understanding the concepts and derivations presented.

My goal in writing this book was not to produce a comprehensive treatise on glacier mechanics, but rather to develop the basic foundation upon which the modern literature on this subject rests. Thus, many topics are not covered, or are treated in less detail than some readers might wish. However, students who have a full appreciation for the concepts in this book will have the background they need to understand most of the current literature.