Landsystem models from remote and field based geomorphological mapping reveal diverse glacier dynamics on Svalbard

Glacial landsystems are geomorphological records produced by glaciers that provide important insights into past and present glacier dynamics. Here, we present a snapshot of the diversity in glacier landsystems in Svalbard. We present remote and field geomorphological mapping from 11 glaciers: seven in south Spitsbergen (Scottbreen, Renardbreen, Antoniabreen, Penckbreen, Bakaninbreen, Paulabreen and Skobreen) and four in northwest Spitsbergen (Charlesbreen, Protektorbreen, Bullbreen, and Ferdinandbreen). These examples include landform assemblages that (1) are diagnostic of recent surging in terrestrial and marine settings; (2) are characteristic of thinning polythermal glaciers that have previously been more dynamic; and (3) represent rapidly vanishing glaciers, the geomorphological endpoint for Svalbard glaciers characterised by the fragmentation and downwasting of small cold-based glaciers. We synthesize these into four landsystem models to provide a framework for interpreting glacier dynamics in Svalbard based on geomorphological records. The hypsometries of many land-terminating glaciers in Svalbard suggests that we will increasingly observe the transition from polythermal to cold-based glacier thermal regimes as the climate continues to warm, ultimately leading to more vanishing glaciers. This has important wider implications for changing water, sediment and biogeochemical fluxes which will impact subglacial, forefield and ocean ecosystems.

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