Index: /issm/trunk-jpl/src/c/classes/Loads/Friction.cpp
===================================================================
--- /issm/trunk-jpl/src/c/classes/Loads/Friction.cpp	(revision 23840)
+++ /issm/trunk-jpl/src/c/classes/Loads/Friction.cpp	(revision 23841)
@@ -241,11 +241,19 @@
 
 	/*Check to prevent dividing by zero if vmag==0*/
-	if(vmag==0. && (s-1.)<0.) alpha2=0.;
-	else alpha2=drag_coefficient*drag_coefficient*pow(Neff,r)*pow(vmag,(s-1.));
+	if(vmag==0. && (s-1.)<0.){
+		alpha2=0.;
+	}
+	else{
+		alpha2=drag_coefficient*drag_coefficient*pow(Neff,r)*pow(vmag,(s-1.));
+	}
 
 	floatation_thickness=0;
 	if(base<0) floatation_thickness=-(rho_water/rho_ice)*base;
-	if(vmag==0.) alpha2_coulomb=0.;
-	else alpha2_coulomb=drag_coefficient_coulomb*drag_coefficient_coulomb*rho_ice*gravity*(thickness-floatation_thickness)/vmag;
+	if(vmag==0.){
+		alpha2_coulomb=0.;
+	}
+	else{
+		alpha2_coulomb=drag_coefficient_coulomb*drag_coefficient_coulomb*rho_ice*gravity*max(0.,thickness-floatation_thickness)/vmag;
+	}
 
 	if(alpha2_coulomb<alpha2) alpha2=alpha2_coulomb;