Recession of the southern part of Barnes Ice Cap, Baffin Island, Canada, between 1961 and 1993, determined from digital mapping of Landsat TM

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Abstract
Changes along the margin of the southern half of the 5900 km2 Barnes Ice Cap have been assessed using 1993 Landsat TM imagery in comparison with digitized 1:50 000 NTS maps based on 1961 photogrammetry. The average recession over the 183 km long southern perimeter was found to be at least 4 m a−1, with no significant difference between the southeast and southwest sectors. Viewed in conjunction with the sustained retreat previously reported for the northwest margin, these results indicate that a general reduction in the size of Barnes Ice Cap is occurring. The present retreat phase began under a regional climate warming in the late 19th to early 20th century period and continues, while the record of the ablation-season temperature since the mid-century has not shown any significant trend.