How does ice flow outward from the centre of a continental ice sheet?

Ice flow in a continental ice sheet is primarily driven by the weight of the accumulated ice and the resulting shear stress, which causes the ice to undergo creep or plastic deformation.12

Contrary to the assumption that ice flows in a simple radial pattern from the center, the movement is often more complex. Ice from central high points or domes tends to converge into discrete drainage basins. From these basins, the ice concentrates into rapidly moving ice streams—currents that flow significantly faster than the surrounding ice—which effectively transport mass toward the sea or into ice shelves.3

The rate of this flow is influenced by several factors:
* Surface Slope: A surface slope toward the margins develops as ice builds up, inducing the shear stress necessary for movement.1
* Temperature: The constitutive law of ice is highly sensitive to temperature; warmer ice deforms much more readily than cold ice.3
* Basal Conditions: Friction and the presence of water-charged sediment or meltwater at the base can facilitate sliding, further accelerating the movement of the ice mass.13