Response to Comment on "Friction at the bed does not control fast glacier flow".

Abstract

Minchew <i>et al</i> take issue with our main conclusion that friction at the glacier bed does not control fast glacier flow. In this response, we further justify our methodology. We also point out that numerical studies referred to by Minchew <i>et al</i> rely on inversions that are based on a sliding relation in which sliding speed is proportional to basal drag. Furthermore, observational studies referred to by Minchew <i>et al</i> apply to glaciological settings that do not correspond to the terminal regions of Greenland outlet glaciers that we studied.