Glacier changes at Svartisen, northern Norway, during the last 125 years: Influence of climate and other factors

Abstract

The two ice caps of Svartisen, at the latitude of the Arctic Circle in Norway, supply 60 glaciers, ranging in size from >50 to <1 km². Until the last two decades of the 19th century, the glaciers remained close to their maximum recent (Little Ice Age) size. In response to the prevailing 20th century climate, they have become smaller, but the changes have varied between glaciers. Climatic factors have not been the sole control of the variations. The response times of small, steep glaciers are shorter than those of the longer, more gently sloping outlet glaciers. Topographic factors may moderate the response of individual glaciers to climate. The 20th century mass balance of several of the larger glaciers was dominated by calving into marginal lakes. The mass balance of Engabreen, the largest outlet of the western ice cap, has been measured every year since 1970 and the cumulative balance to 2008 was a gain of 22.7 m water equivalent. Although the pattern of annual variations probably applies to the other glaciers of Svartisen, it does not indicate their actual changes (gain or loss). Thus, the Engabreen record is of little utility in water resource planning for the whole area.