Fluctuations of tidewater glaciers in Hornsund Fjord (Southern Svalbard) since the beginning of the 20th century

• Published in: Polish Polar Research
• Main Authors: Błaszczyk, Małgorzata, Jania, Jacek A., Kolondra, Leszek
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Walter de Gruyter GmbH 2013
• Subjects: Ecology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Svalbard; Bergen; Hornsund; glacier; Polar Research; Tidewater
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/popore-2013-0024; https://content.sciendo.com/view/journals/popore/34/4/article-p327.xml; https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/popore.2013.34.issue-4/popore-2013-0024/popore-2013-0024.pdf

Abstract Significant retreat of glaciers terminating in Hornsund Fjord (Southern Spits− bergen, Svalbard) has been observed during the 20 th century and in the first decade of the 21 st century. The objective of this paper is to present, as complete as possible, a record of front positions changes of 14 tidewater glaciers during this period and to distinguish the main factors influencing their fluctuations. Results are based on a GIS analysis of archival maps, field measurements, and aerial and satellite images. Accuracy was based on an as− sessment of seasonal fluctuations of a glacier’s ice cliff position with respect to its mini− mum length in winter (November-December) and its maximum advance position in June or July.Morphometric features and the environmental setting of each glacier are also pre− sented. The total area of the glacier cover in Hornsund Fjord in the period of 1899-2010 diminished approximately 172 km 2 , with an average areal retreat rate of 1.6 km 2 a −1 . The recession rate increased from ~1 km 2 a −1 in first decades of the 20 th century up to ~3 km 2 a −1 in years 2001-2010. The latest period was more thoroughly studied using optical satellite images acquired almost every year. The importance of glacier morphology and hypspmetry, as well as fjord bathymetry and topography is analyzed. Large glacier systemswith low slopes terminating in deeper waters are retreating faster than small steep glaciers ter− minating in shallower water. A relation between mean annual air temperature and aerial retreat rate of tidewater glaciers was found for long time scales. A sudden temperature in− crease, known as the early 20 th century warming in Svalbard, and an increase in temperatures during recent decades are well reflected in deglaciation rate. Influence of sea water temperatures on calving and retreat of glaciers was considered and is significant in short−time intervals of the last decade. Surge events are non−climatic factors which com− plicate the record. They are reflected in front advance or fast ...