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Surging glaciers are common in Svalbard yet relatively few glaciers have been observed during a surge. This paper presents observations of the currently surging glacier Skobreen, in southern Spitsbergen. The study is based on examinations of new and archival photographs and maps. Skobreen, an 18 km² valley glacier terminating into the lower part of the glacier Paulabreen, has not been registered previously as a surging glacier. Skobreen experienced a build-up in its upper part, while there has been a lowering of the surface in the terminal region. Photographs from 1990 show incipient crevassing in the upper part. Photographs from 2003 show a slight advance of the terminus and marginal crevassing, indicating an initiation period of about 15 years for a surge of this glacier. In June 2005 transverse crevassing appeared in the upper part of the glacier, while the middle section moved as a block with strong shear margins and a pronounced drawdown of the ice surface. No traces of a surge front could be seen in the crevasse pattern. However, the crevasse pattern indicates an initiation area in the transition zone between the transverse crevassing in the upper part and the block of ice in the middle region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Moraines marking the Neoglacial limits in Svalbard are commonly ice cored. Investigating the nature of this relict ice is important because it can aid our understanding of former glacier dynamics. This paper examines the composition of the lateral–frontal moraine associated with the Neoglacial limit at Austre Lovénbreen and assesses the likely geomorphological evolution. The moraine was investigated using ground-penetrating radar (GPR), with context being provided by structural mapping of the glacier based on an oblique aerial image from 1936 and vertical aerial imagery from 2003. Multiple up-glacier dipping reflectors and syncline structures are found in the GPR surveys. The reflectors are most clearly defined in lateral positions, where the moraine is substantially composed of ice. The frontal area of the moraine is dominantly composed of debris. The core of the lateral part of the moraine is likely to consist of stacked sequences of basal ice that have been deformed by strong longitudinal compression. The long term preservation potential of the ice-dominated lateral moraine is negligible, whereas the preservation of the debris-dominated frontal moraine is high. A glacier surface bulge, identified on the 1936 aerial imagery, provides evidence that Austre Lovénbreen has previously displayed surge activity, although it is highly unlikely to do so in the near future in its current state. This research shows the value of relict buried ice that is preserved in landforms to aiding our understanding of former glacier characteristics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper presents a simple analytical model for estimating rock glacier age by coupling the ratio of frontal advance to total rock glacier length and the ratio of debris volume in the rock glacier to present debris flux in the talus cone–rock glacier transition zone. The model was applied to two rock glaciers at Prins Karls Forland, Svalbard. By assuming volumetric debris contents in the deforming layer of the rock glacier of between 0.3 and 0.4, we obtained age estimates for the rock glaciers of between 12 ka and 24 ka. The corresponding average rockwall retreat rates are between 0.30 and 0.62 mm a-1. Considering the limitations of the model, we suggest a minimum age of 13 ka for the initiation of rock glacier development. Using this age, rockwall retreat rates for the seven rock glaciers investigated at Prins Karls Forland are between 0.13 and 0.64 m ka-1 (assuming the volumetric debris content for the whole rock glacier/talus cone is 0.35). The model requires further testing on other datasets, better field estimates of the debris content and depth of the deforming layer, and could also benefit from the inclusion of an unsteady debris supply function in order to refine age estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural glaciological maps can be used to study the structural evolution and past dynamics of glaciers. The map described here documents the glacier-wide structural characteristics of Austre Brøggerbreen, ac. 12 km2predominantly cold-based valley glacier in northwest Svalbard. The structural map reveals that the glacier is dominated by deep-penetrating fractures that are now relict (crevasse traces). These structures indicate that, despite being relatively inactive at present, the glacier was once much more dynamic, presumably during its last advance in the Neoglacial (c. 1900 AD). Contemporary glacier structures (i.e. those that are actively forming) include primary stratification, longitudinal foliation and rare surface fracturing (crevasses and water-healed crevasses). Relict fracture sets become increasingly re-orientated and folded down-glacier as a result of ductile flow. Individual flow units show large differences in the evolution of structures, indicating that the flow units have been subject to different flow histories and dynamics. The map will also be useful for future change-detection studies on this rapidly receding glacier. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study investigated the surge dynamics of Aavatsmarkbreen, a glacier in Svalbard and its geomorphological impact based on remote sensing data and field observations. The main objective was to analyse and classify subglacial and supraglacial landforms in the context of glacial deformation and basal sliding over a thin layer of thawed, water-saturated deposits. The study also focused on the geomorphological evidence of surge-related sub- and supraglacial crevassing and glacier front fracturing. From 2006 to 2013, the average recession of Aavatsmarkbreen was 363 m (52 m a−1). A subsequent surge during 2013-2015 resulted in a substantial advance of the glacier front of over 1 km and an increase in its surface area of more than 2 km2. The surface of Aavatsmarkbreen was severely fractured. Significant ice-flow acceleration was noted whereby the highest surface velocity reached 4.9 m day−1. The ephemeral water-escape structures and mini-flutings on the fine-grained till surface that formed during the surge are indicative of high subglacial pore-water pressure and enhanced basal sliding. Two genetic types of clast pavements occur in the marginal zone of Aavatsmarkbreen. The results of this study will help to constrain glaciological and geomorphological processes involved in surge phenomena. Understanding the scale and effects of these processes provides insight into the behaviour of fast-flowing glaciers and ice streams and reveals their relationships with external factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various parameters of the most recent surge of the polythermal glacier Comfortlessbreen in northwest Svalbard, have been assessed through a combination of remote sensing and ground observations. Analysis of a digital elevation model time-series shows a marked change in the geometry of the glacier from quiescence (1990 and earlier) into the late surge phase (2009). The transfer of 0.74 km3 of ice caused up to 80 m of surface drawdown in the reservoir area, above the equilibrium line, whilst ice built up in a spatially concentrated manner in the receiving zone, below the equilibrium line. A ramp of ice, c. 100 m above quiescent level, developed in the lower reaches of the glacier late in the surge. Also in the lower reaches of the glacier, structures attributable to the passage of a kinematic wave are identified and the migration of a surge front on the glacier is thus inferred. In a conceptual model, we consider that a bend in the valley, in which the glacier resides, and convergence with tributary glaciers, to be significant factors in the style of surge evolution. Their flow-restrictive interference results in slow initial mass-transfer and the growth of a surge front within 3-4 km of the terminus. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calving activity at the termini of tidewater glaciers produces a wide range of iceberg sizes at irregular intervals. We present calving-event data obtained from continuous observations of the termini of two tidewater glaciers on Svalbard, and show that the distributions of event sizes and inter-event intervals can be reproduced by a simple calving model, focusing on the mutual interplay between calving and the destabilization of the glacier terminus. The event-size distributions of both the field and the model data extend over several orders of magnitude and resemble power laws. The distributions of interevent intervals are broad, but have a less pronounced tail. In the model, the width of the size distribution increases with the calving susceptibility of the glacier terminus, a parameter measuring the effect of calving on the stress in the local neighborhood of the calving region. Inter-event interval distributions, in contrast, are insensitive to the calving susceptibility. Above a critical susceptibility, small perturbations of the glacier result in ongoing self-sustained calving activity. The model suggests that the shape of the event-size distribution of a glacier is informative about its proximity to this transition point. Observations of rapid glacier retreats can be explained by supercritical self-sustained calving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present ground-penetrating radar (GPR)-based volume calculations, with associated error estimates, for eight glaciers on Wedel Jarlsberg Land, southwestern Spitsbergen, Svalbard, and compare them with those obtained from volume-area scaling relationships. The volume estimates are based upon GPR ice-thickness data collected during the period 2004-2013. The total area and volume of the ensemble are 502.91 ± 18.60 km2 and 91.91 ± 3.12 km3, respectively. The individual areas, volumes, and average ice thickness lie within 0.37-140.99 km2, 0.01-31.98 km3, and 28-227 m, respectively, with a maximum recorded ice thickness of 619 ± 13 m on Austre Torellbreen. To estimate the ice volume of unsurveyed tributary glaciers, we combine polynomial cross-sections with a function providing the best fit to the measured ice thickness along the center line of a collection of 22 surveyed tributaries. For the time-to-depth conversion of GPR data, we test the use of a glacierwide constant radio-wave velocity chosen on the basis of local or regional common midpoint measurements, versus the use of distinct velocities for the firn, cold ice, and temperate ice layers, concluding that the corresponding volume calculations agree with each other within their error bounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Late Weichselian ice sheet of western Svalbard was characterized by ice streams and inter-ice-stream areas. To reconstruct its geometry and dynamics we investigated the glacial geology of two areas on the island of Prins Karls Forland and the Mitrahalvøya peninsula. Cosmogenic 10 Be surface exposure dating of glacial erratics and bedrock was used to constrain past ice thickness, providing minimum estimates in both areas. Contrary to previous studies, we found that Prins Karls Forland experienced a westward ice flux from Spitsbergen. Ice thickness reached >470 m a.s.l., and warm-based conditions occurred periodically. Local deglaciation took place between 16 and 13 ka. At Mitrahalvøya, glacier ice draining the Krossfjorden basin reached >300 m a.s.l., and local deglaciation occurred at c. 13 ka. We propose the following succession of events for the last deglaciation. After the maximum glacier extent, ice streams in the cross-shelf troughs and fjords retreated, tributary ice streams formed in Forlandsundet and Krossfjorden, and, finally, local ice caps were isolated over both Prins Karls Forland and Mitrahalvøya and their adjacent shelves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the global positioning system (GPS) observations on the central flowlines of two flowing outlet glaciers of Austfonna, Svalbard, Norway in 2008-2010. It notes that the data reveal distinct summer speed-ups with ice-surface velocities as high as 240 percent of the pre-summer mean. Also, it mentions that flow velocities show unaffected by consequent melting periods.

The article explores the waveforms of seismic signals at the front of Kronebreen, Svalbard, Norway to determine the glacier-related seismic events and examine their relation to calving process. It employs a scheme which combines established seismic event detection utilizing a sensitive trigger algorithm. It reveals that the temporal distribution of glacier-related events demonstrates an increase in event rate during autumn, specifically for the category that is associated with iceberg calving.

The diversity of highly active bacterial communities in cryoconite holes on three Arctic glaciers in Svalbard was investigated using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) of the 16S rRNA locus. Construction and sequencing of clone libraries allowed several members of these communities to be identified, with Proteobacteria being the dominant one, followed by Cyanobacteria and Bacteroidetes. T-RFLP data revealed significantly different communities in holes on the (cold) valley glacier Austre Brøggerbreen relative to two adjacent (polythermal) valley glaciers, Midtre Lovénbreen and Vestre Brøggerbreen. These population compositions correlate with differences in organic matter content, temperature and the metabolic activity of microbial communities concerned. No within-glacier spatial patterns were observed in the communities identified over the 2-year period and with the 1 km-spaced sampling. We infer that surface hydrology is an important factor in the development of cryoconite bacterial communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the changes in geometric and mass balance of the Austfonna ice cap, considered as the largest glacier in Svalbard, Norway. The study explores the elevation change rates on the surface profiles and radio echo-sounding data of the ice cap between 1983-2007 and 2002-2008. It also regards Austfonna's significant variation compared to other glaciers in the region. It observes a slow-moving and not in dynamic equilibrium of the Austfonna with the current climate.

Icing fields are common in Svalbard and very diverse with respect to shape. The occurrence and spatial structure of icing fields in front of glaciers were analysed using aerial photographs (at a scale of 1:50 000) taken from 19 July to 25 August 1990—a unique set of images covering the whole archipelago in one summer season. Icing fields were observed in front of 217 glaciers. A total area of 12.3 km² appeared to be covered by the icings. This value, from late in the ablation season, is likely to be near the seasonal minimum. Of the 217 glaciers, 192 were selected for further analysis, carried out by stereoscopic observation of the aerial photographs. Striking difference in brightness of the icing fields in comparison to the surrounded terrain combined with field experience of the geomorphic setting of its occurrence made possible the complete inventory of the icing phenomena for the whole of Svalbard. Morphometric features were measured directly on photographs and on scanned portions of them. Results from field studies of melting and the decrease of the area of icing fields at the front of two glaciers are also presented. The shape and distribution of icings depend on a set of glaciological factors and on the glacial and geomorphologic setting. The duration of frigid temperatures in the winter when the icing fields were formed is also important. Results show that oval and circular shapes are characteristic for icing fields after surviving the ablation season. These fields have an important geomorphological influence on the outwash plains that currently develop in Svalbard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much renewed research interest in Arctic regions stems from the increasing concentration of atmospheric greenhouse gases and the alleged climatic sensitivity of high latitude areas. Glacier and permafrost changes are among a number of proxies used for monitoring past and present Arctic climate change. Here we present observations on frozen in situ soil and vegetation, found below cold-based glacier Longyearbreen (78 8 13'N), 2 km upstream from the present glacier terminus. Dating of the relict vegetation indicates that the glacier has increased in length from about 3 km to its present size of about 5 km during the last c. 1100 years. The meteorological setting of non-surging Longyearbreen suggests this example of late-Holocene glacier growth represents a widespread phenomenon in Svalbard and in adjoining Arctic regions. In addition, we use the subglacial permafrozen soil system to evaluate microbial survival capacity over considerable time periods, and we present evidence for microbes having survived more than 1100 years in a subglacial, permafrozen state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]