This is shown by satellite images, that the American Geophysical Union has published. Between 1990 and 2016 the glacier has retreated seven kilometers.
Hinlopenbreen 1990 und 2016. Red arrow shows 1990 terminus, yellow arrow shows 2016 terminus – Images: AGU, Landsat
The Hinlopen glacier in the north-east of Spitsbergen is a so-called surge-glacier. That means, that longer periods with normal flow speed alternate with shorter periods, in which the glacier flows 10 to 1.000 times faster. The last surge happened from 1970-1971, when the glacier pushed 2.5 km into the fjord in one year. It moved up to 12 meters a day then.
The decrease in ice, that has now been observed, has probably nothing to do with these normal fluctuations which are connected to the glacier’s internal mechanics. If a surge-glacier retreats, the ice usually accumulates in the accumulation area: it is thickening. At the Hinlopen glacier it was observed, that the ice on the upper glacier is also thinning. This suggests that it is not the early stage of a surge process, but climate change that is responsible for the retreat of the Hinlopen glacier.
Other glaciers on Spitsbergen are also undergoing a similar development, such as the Paierbreen, Hornbreen, Besselbreen and Svitjodbreen.
By the way, my new book is in print and it can now be ordered 🙂 it is a photo book with the title “Norwegens arktischer Norden (3): Die Bäreninsel und Jan Mayen”, with German text Click here for further details!
This and other publishing products of the Spitsbergen publishing house in the Spitsbergen-Shop.
Norwegens arktischer Norden (1): Spitzbergen
Photobook: Norway's arctic islands. The text in this book is German. [shop url="https://shop.spitzbergen.de/en/polar-books/70-norwegens-arktischer-norden-1-aerial-arctic-9783937903262.html"] ← Back
Lofoten, Jan Mayen and Spitsbergen from the air - Photobook: Norway's arctic islands. The text in this book is German, but there is very little text, so I am sure that you will enjoy it regardless which languages you read (or not).
The companion book for the Svalbardhytter poster. The poster visualises the diversity of Spitsbergen‘s huts and their stories in a range of Arctic landscapes. The book tells the stories of the huts in three languages.
Comprehensive guidebook about Spitsbergen. Background (wildlife, plants, geology, history etc.), practical information including travelling seasons, how to travel, description of settlements, routes and regions.
Join an exciting journey with dog, skis and tent through the wintery wastes of East Greenland! We were five guys and a dog when we started in Ittoqqortoormiit, the northernmost one of two settlements on Greenland’s east coast.
12 postcards which come in a beautifully designed tray. Beautiful images from South Georgia across Antarctica from the Antarctic Peninsula to the Ross Sea and up to Macquarie Island and Campbell Island.