Sea-ice mass-balance monitoring in an Arctic fjord

Author： Gerland Sebastian Renner Angelika H.H.

Publisher： International Glaciological Society

ISSN： 1727-5644

Source： Annals of Glaciology, Vol.46, Iss.1, 2007-10, pp. : 435-442

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Abstract

A sea-ice mass-balance monitoring study including ice extent and thickness observations was started at Kongsfjorden (79° N, 12° E), Svalbard, in 2003. The inner part of Kongsfjorden is usually covered by seasonal fast ice <1 m thick, initially forming between December and March and persisting until June. Ice extent is visually observed from the mountain Zeppelinfjellet, and documented by ice maps and photographs several times a week. Ice and snow thickness is measured regularly at four sites from drillholes. Time series of ice extent in four areas east of Ny-A˚lesund (total area 120 km²) were calculated for 2003–05. By combining extent with thickness data, ice-mass time series were calculated. As also observed earlier than 2003 in other studies, the fast ice varies interannually in extent and thickness. Among the factors which control the fast-ice evolution are physical and meteorological parameters, and the geographical setting of Kongsfjorden, with its coastline and a group of islands in its inner part having a protective effect. This study is ongoing and a major aim is to identify and quantify connections between the Kongsfjorden fast-ice evolution and climate parameters.