Dynamics of Two Subpolar Valley Glaciers—Erikbreen and Hannabreen, Liefdefjorden, Northern Spitsbergen

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Abstract
Measurements of surface velocities, subglacial topography, mass balance and discharge of meltwater were made on a subpolar valley glacier Erikbreen (79°40'N, 12°30'E), Svalbard, in 1990 and 1991. Comparative studies were made on Hannabreen, located ca. 5 km from Erikbreen. Maximum measured surface velocity on Erikbreen (45 m/a) was considerably higher than on Hannabreen (8 m/a) and other investigated glaciers on Svalbard of similar size. The highest velocities on Erikbreen, observed early in the melting seasons, are due to high basal sliding rates, which induces a high potential for glacial erosion. The calculated ice flux near the equilibrium line altitude equals the mean net mass balance of the accumulation area in 1990 and 1991, so Erikbreen is probably near a state of dynamic equilibrium. This study shows that small valley glaciers with constantly high ice fluxes, similar to valley glaciers in the Scandinavian mountains, exist as far as 80°N on Svalbard.

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