• dr hab. inż. Małgorzata Błaszczyk
Position: Prof.Uczelni
Unit: Instytut Nauk o Ziemi
Adress: 41-200 Sosnowiec, ul. Będzińska 60
Floor: XVI
Room: 1611
Phone: (32) 3689 896
E-mail: malgorzata.blaszczyk@us.edu.pl
Publications list: Publications by CINiBA
Publications list: Publications by OPUS
Scopus Author ID: 29667570900
Publications from the Scopus database
2024
Błaszczyk, M.; Luks, B.; Petlicki, M.; Puczko, D.; Ignatiuk, D.; Laska, M.; Jania, J. A.; Głowacki, P.
High temporal resolution records of the velocity of Hansbreen, a tidewater glacier in Svalbard Journal Article
In: Earth System Science Data, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 1847-1860, 2024, ISSN: 18663508, (1).
@article{2-s2.0-85190780929,
title = {High temporal resolution records of the velocity of Hansbreen, a tidewater glacier in Svalbard},
author = { M. Błaszczyk and B. Luks and M. Petlicki and D. Puczko and D. Ignatiuk and M. Laska and J.A. Jania and P. Głowacki},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85190780929&doi=10.5194%2fessd-16-1847-2024&partnerID=40&md5=684d43901b72e61b32d4bb2da82bfc6b},
doi = {10.5194/essd-16-1847-2024},
issn = {18663508},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-01-01},
journal = {Earth System Science Data},
volume = {16},
number = {4},
pages = {1847-1860},
publisher = {Copernicus Publications},
abstract = {Monitoring changes in glacial dynamics is essential for understanding the environmental response to accelerated climate warming in the Arctic. However, geodetic surveys in polar regions continue to present considerable challenges because of the harsh environmental conditions and the polar night. This study records a 14-year-long time series (2006-2019) of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) surveys of the positions of 16 ablation stakes distributed across Hansbreen, a tidewater glacier in southern Svalbard. The measurements were conducted with an exceptionally high temporal resolution, from about 1 week to about 1 month, and covering altitudes ranging from 20 to 490ma.s.l. The position of one stake was surveyed every day. The primary data products consist of the stake coordinates and velocities. Time series of annual and seasonal velocities are also provided. This dataset may be a subject of further studies of glacier dynamics in relation to the long-term and seasonal impact of climate change on ice flow in the region. It also offers unique material for tuning numerical models of glacier dynamics and for validating satellite-derived products such as velocity and digital elevation models. The dataset described here has been made publicly available through the Zenodo repository: 10.5281/zenodo.8289380 (Błaszczyk et al.; 2023). © Author(s) 2024.},
note = {1},
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pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Monitoring changes in glacial dynamics is essential for understanding the environmental response to accelerated climate warming in the Arctic. However, geodetic surveys in polar regions continue to present considerable challenges because of the harsh environmental conditions and the polar night. This study records a 14-year-long time series (2006-2019) of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) surveys of the positions of 16 ablation stakes distributed across Hansbreen, a tidewater glacier in southern Svalbard. The measurements were conducted with an exceptionally high temporal resolution, from about 1 week to about 1 month, and covering altitudes ranging from 20 to 490ma.s.l. The position of one stake was surveyed every day. The primary data products consist of the stake coordinates and velocities. Time series of annual and seasonal velocities are also provided. This dataset may be a subject of further studies of glacier dynamics in relation to the long-term and seasonal impact of climate change on ice flow in the region. It also offers unique material for tuning numerical models of glacier dynamics and for validating satellite-derived products such as velocity and digital elevation models. The dataset described here has been made publicly available through the Zenodo repository: 10.5281/zenodo.8289380 (Błaszczyk et al.; 2023). © Author(s) 2024.
2023
Tegowski, J.; Glowacki, O.; Ciepły, M.; Błaszczyk, M.; Jania, J. A.; Moskalik, M.; Blondel, P.; Deane, G. B.
Monitoring glacier calving using underwater sound Journal Article
In: Cryosphere, vol. 17, no. 10, pp. 4447-4461, 2023, ISSN: 19940416.
@article{2-s2.0-85178248440,
title = {Monitoring glacier calving using underwater sound},
author = { J. Tegowski and O. Glowacki and M. Ciepły and M. Błaszczyk and J.A. Jania and M. Moskalik and P. Blondel and G.B. Deane},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85178248440&doi=10.5194%2ftc-17-4447-2023&partnerID=40&md5=76e6bad9e70426a0fed2f7f81f1823f7},
doi = {10.5194/tc-17-4447-2023},
issn = {19940416},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
journal = {Cryosphere},
volume = {17},
number = {10},
pages = {4447-4461},
publisher = {Copernicus Publications},
abstract = {Climate shifts are particularly conspicuous in glaciated areas. Satellite and terrestrial observations show significant increases in the melting and breakup of tidewater glaciers and their influence on sea level rise and ocean mixing. Increasing melt rates are creating an urgency to better understand the link between atmospheric and oceanic conditions and glacier frontal ablation through iceberg calving and melting. Elucidating this link requires a combination of short- and long-timescale measurements of terminus activity. Recent work has demonstrated the potential of using underwater sound to quantify the time and scale of calving events to yield integrated estimates of ice mass loss . Here, we present estimates of subaerial calving flux using underwater sound recorded at Hansbreen, Svalbard, in September 2013 combined with an algorithm for the automatic detection of calving events. The method is compared with ice calving volumes estimated from geodetic measurements of the movement of the glacier terminus and an analysis of satellite images. The total volume of above-water calving during the 26 d of acoustical observation is estimated to be 1.7±0.7×107 m3, whereas the subaerial calving flux estimated by traditional methods is 7±2×106 m3. The results suggest that passive cryoacoustics is a viable technique for long-term monitoring of mass loss from marine-terminating glaciers. © 2023 Jarosław Tȩgowski et al.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Climate shifts are particularly conspicuous in glaciated areas. Satellite and terrestrial observations show significant increases in the melting and breakup of tidewater glaciers and their influence on sea level rise and ocean mixing. Increasing melt rates are creating an urgency to better understand the link between atmospheric and oceanic conditions and glacier frontal ablation through iceberg calving and melting. Elucidating this link requires a combination of short- and long-timescale measurements of terminus activity. Recent work has demonstrated the potential of using underwater sound to quantify the time and scale of calving events to yield integrated estimates of ice mass loss . Here, we present estimates of subaerial calving flux using underwater sound recorded at Hansbreen, Svalbard, in September 2013 combined with an algorithm for the automatic detection of calving events. The method is compared with ice calving volumes estimated from geodetic measurements of the movement of the glacier terminus and an analysis of satellite images. The total volume of above-water calving during the 26 d of acoustical observation is estimated to be 1.7±0.7×107 m3, whereas the subaerial calving flux estimated by traditional methods is 7±2×106 m3. The results suggest that passive cryoacoustics is a viable technique for long-term monitoring of mass loss from marine-terminating glaciers. © 2023 Jarosław Tȩgowski et al.
Saferna, D.; Błaszczyk, M.; Grabiec, M.; Gądek, B.
In: Remote Sensing, vol. 15, no. 14, 2023, ISSN: 20724292.
@article{2-s2.0-85166221628,
title = {Quantifying Changes in Extent and Velocity of the Hornbreen/Hambergbreen Glacial System (SW, Spitsbergen) Based on Timeseries of Multispectral Satellite Imagery},
author = { D. Saferna and M. Błaszczyk and M. Grabiec and B. Gądek},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85166221628&doi=10.3390%2frs15143529&partnerID=40&md5=f642f44791e8c7df0542ba032edd13fc},
doi = {10.3390/rs15143529},
issn = {20724292},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
journal = {Remote Sensing},
volume = {15},
number = {14},
publisher = {Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)},
abstract = {This study focuses on the Hornsund region in Svalbard, where the temperature has risen by 1.14 °C per decade, six times faster than the global average. The accelerating temperature rise in the Arctic has had significant impacts on the Svalbard glaciers, including the Hornbreen–Hambergbreen system (HH system). The HH system connects Sørkapp Land with the rest of Spitsbergen, and its disintegration will lead to the formation of a new island. This study assesses the annual and seasonal changes in the velocity of the HH system and fluctuations of the position of the termini from 1985 to 2021 and their relationship with environmental factors. Furthermore, an assessment was made of the possible date of opening of the Hornsund strait. The study also investigates the impact of the radiometric resolution of satellite images on the quality of the velocity field and the detection of glacier features. Multispectral imagery was used to assess the velocity fields with Glacier Image Velocimetry (v 1.01) software, which uses the feature tracking method. In addition, the Glacier Termini Tracking plugin was used to acquire data on the fluctuating positions of the termini. The long-term mean annual velocity of the Hornbreen was 431 m a−1, while that of Hambergbreen was 141 m a−1. The peak seasonal velocity and fluctuations of the terminus position of Hambergbreen were delayed by approximately one month when compared to Hornbreen. Overall, air and sea surface temperatures influence the velocities and fluctuations of the termini, while precipitation plays a secondary role. If the recession continues, the Hornsund strait may open around 2053. An increase in the quality of velocity maps from 12.7% to 50.2% was found with an increase in radiometric resolution from 8 bit to 16 bit. © 2023 by the authors.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This study focuses on the Hornsund region in Svalbard, where the temperature has risen by 1.14 °C per decade, six times faster than the global average. The accelerating temperature rise in the Arctic has had significant impacts on the Svalbard glaciers, including the Hornbreen–Hambergbreen system (HH system). The HH system connects Sørkapp Land with the rest of Spitsbergen, and its disintegration will lead to the formation of a new island. This study assesses the annual and seasonal changes in the velocity of the HH system and fluctuations of the position of the termini from 1985 to 2021 and their relationship with environmental factors. Furthermore, an assessment was made of the possible date of opening of the Hornsund strait. The study also investigates the impact of the radiometric resolution of satellite images on the quality of the velocity field and the detection of glacier features. Multispectral imagery was used to assess the velocity fields with Glacier Image Velocimetry (v 1.01) software, which uses the feature tracking method. In addition, the Glacier Termini Tracking plugin was used to acquire data on the fluctuating positions of the termini. The long-term mean annual velocity of the Hornbreen was 431 m a−1, while that of Hambergbreen was 141 m a−1. The peak seasonal velocity and fluctuations of the terminus position of Hambergbreen were delayed by approximately one month when compared to Hornbreen. Overall, air and sea surface temperatures influence the velocities and fluctuations of the termini, while precipitation plays a secondary role. If the recession continues, the Hornsund strait may open around 2053. An increase in the quality of velocity maps from 12.7% to 50.2% was found with an increase in radiometric resolution from 8 bit to 16 bit. © 2023 by the authors.
Błaszczyk, M.; Moskalik, M.; Grabiec, M.; Jania, J. A.; Walczowski, W.; Wawrzyniak, T.; Strzelewicz, A.; Malnes, E.; Lauknes, T. R.; Pfeffer, W. T.
The Response of Tidewater Glacier Termini Positions in Hornsund (Svalbard) to Climate Forcing, 1992–2020 Journal Article
In: Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, vol. 128, no. 5, 2023, ISSN: 21699003, (1).
@article{2-s2.0-85160435183,
title = {The Response of Tidewater Glacier Termini Positions in Hornsund (Svalbard) to Climate Forcing, 1992–2020},
author = { M. Błaszczyk and M. Moskalik and M. Grabiec and J.A. Jania and W. Walczowski and T. Wawrzyniak and A. Strzelewicz and E. Malnes and T.R. Lauknes and W.T. Pfeffer},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85160435183&doi=10.1029%2f2022JF006911&partnerID=40&md5=dc95001610336e4ec515faf745ffe57a},
doi = {10.1029/2022JF006911},
issn = {21699003},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface},
volume = {128},
number = {5},
publisher = {John Wiley and Sons Inc},
abstract = {Many Arctic marine-terminating glaciers have undergone rapid retreats in recent decades. Seasonal and year-to-year variations in terminus position act on all tidewater glaciers, but the key controls on those changes vary from region to region. Here, we examined seasonal and decadal changes in termini positions of seven tidewater glaciers in the inner part of Hornsund, the southernmost fjord of Spitsbergen (Svalbard Archipelago), based on a variety of data from 1992 to 2020. Combining satellite imagery, basic meteorological data (air temperature; positive degree day index (PDD); liquid precipitation), sea surface temperature (SST), mean temperature in the glacier forefield bays, fast sea ice cover, and bathymetry near the glacier front, we examined the influence of potential controlling parameters on interannual and seasonal variability of the glacier termini. We found regional synchrony between terminus advance/retreat and climate variables. At a regional scale, annual fluctuation changes are related to PDD and SST, while summer fluctuations are linked to PDD, although individual glaciers are shown to have differing sensitivities to potential climate drivers. We also found that the retreat period in Hornsund generally lasts from June to October-December. Onset of the retreat is related to sea and air temperature, and in some cases follows the disappearance of the ice cover. These results indicate that the expected increase in meltwater runoff in Svalbard, the input of relatively warm Atlantic water to the fjord, and the increasing trend of longer summer and warmer winter periods will have implications for glacier velocity and frontal ablation. © 2023. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.},
note = {1},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Many Arctic marine-terminating glaciers have undergone rapid retreats in recent decades. Seasonal and year-to-year variations in terminus position act on all tidewater glaciers, but the key controls on those changes vary from region to region. Here, we examined seasonal and decadal changes in termini positions of seven tidewater glaciers in the inner part of Hornsund, the southernmost fjord of Spitsbergen (Svalbard Archipelago), based on a variety of data from 1992 to 2020. Combining satellite imagery, basic meteorological data (air temperature; positive degree day index (PDD); liquid precipitation), sea surface temperature (SST), mean temperature in the glacier forefield bays, fast sea ice cover, and bathymetry near the glacier front, we examined the influence of potential controlling parameters on interannual and seasonal variability of the glacier termini. We found regional synchrony between terminus advance/retreat and climate variables. At a regional scale, annual fluctuation changes are related to PDD and SST, while summer fluctuations are linked to PDD, although individual glaciers are shown to have differing sensitivities to potential climate drivers. We also found that the retreat period in Hornsund generally lasts from June to October-December. Onset of the retreat is related to sea and air temperature, and in some cases follows the disappearance of the ice cover. These results indicate that the expected increase in meltwater runoff in Svalbard, the input of relatively warm Atlantic water to the fjord, and the increasing trend of longer summer and warmer winter periods will have implications for glacier velocity and frontal ablation. © 2023. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
Barzycka, B.; Grabiec, M.; Jania, J. A.; Błaszczyk, M.; Pálsson, F.; Laska, M.; Ignatiuk, D.; Aðalgeirsdóttir, G. T.
Comparison of Three Methods for Distinguishing Glacier Zones Using Satellite SAR Data Journal Article
In: Remote Sensing, vol. 15, no. 3, 2023, ISSN: 20724292, (1).
@article{2-s2.0-85147953337,
title = {Comparison of Three Methods for Distinguishing Glacier Zones Using Satellite SAR Data},
author = { B. Barzycka and M. Grabiec and J.A. Jania and M. Błaszczyk and F. Pálsson and M. Laska and D. Ignatiuk and G.T. Aðalgeirsdóttir},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85147953337&doi=10.3390%2frs15030690&partnerID=40&md5=46905b190033ecb0b5adfdc1b88c422e},
doi = {10.3390/rs15030690},
issn = {20724292},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
journal = {Remote Sensing},
volume = {15},
number = {3},
publisher = {MDPI},
abstract = {Changes in glacier zones (e.g.; firn; superimposed ice; ice) are good indicators of glacier response to climate change. There are few studies of glacier zone detection by SAR that are focused on more than one ice body and validated by terrestrial data. This study is unique in terms of the dataset collected—four C- and L-band quad-pol satellite SAR images, Ground Penetrating Radar data, shallow glacier cores—and the number of land ice bodies analyzed, namely, three tidewater glaciers in Svalbard and one ice cap in Iceland. The main aim is to assess how well popular methods of SAR analysis perform in distinguishing glacier zones, regardless of factors such as the morphologic differences of the ice bodies, or differences in SAR data. We test and validate three methods of glacier zone detection: (1) Gaussian Mixture Model–Expectation Maximization (GMM-EM) clustering of dual-pol backscattering coefficient (sigma0); (2) GMM-EM of quad-pol Pauli decomposition; and (3) quad-pol H/α Wishart segmentation. The main findings are that the unsupervised classification of both sigma0 and Pauli decomposition are promising methods for distinguishing glacier zones. The former performs better at detecting the firn zone on SAR images, and the latter in the superimposed ice zone. Additionally, C-band SAR data perform better than L-band at detecting firn, but the latter can potentially separate crevasses via the classification of sigma0 or Pauli decomposition. H/α Wishart segmentation resulted in inconsistent results across the tested cases and did not detect crevasses on L-band SAR data. © 2023 by the authors.},
note = {1},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Changes in glacier zones (e.g.; firn; superimposed ice; ice) are good indicators of glacier response to climate change. There are few studies of glacier zone detection by SAR that are focused on more than one ice body and validated by terrestrial data. This study is unique in terms of the dataset collected—four C- and L-band quad-pol satellite SAR images, Ground Penetrating Radar data, shallow glacier cores—and the number of land ice bodies analyzed, namely, three tidewater glaciers in Svalbard and one ice cap in Iceland. The main aim is to assess how well popular methods of SAR analysis perform in distinguishing glacier zones, regardless of factors such as the morphologic differences of the ice bodies, or differences in SAR data. We test and validate three methods of glacier zone detection: (1) Gaussian Mixture Model–Expectation Maximization (GMM-EM) clustering of dual-pol backscattering coefficient (sigma0); (2) GMM-EM of quad-pol Pauli decomposition; and (3) quad-pol H/α Wishart segmentation. The main findings are that the unsupervised classification of both sigma0 and Pauli decomposition are promising methods for distinguishing glacier zones. The former performs better at detecting the firn zone on SAR images, and the latter in the superimposed ice zone. Additionally, C-band SAR data perform better than L-band at detecting firn, but the latter can potentially separate crevasses via the classification of sigma0 or Pauli decomposition. H/α Wishart segmentation resulted in inconsistent results across the tested cases and did not detect crevasses on L-band SAR data. © 2023 by the authors.
Zagórski, P.; Frydrych, K.; Jania, J. A.; Błaszczyk, M.; Sund, M.; Moskalik, M.
Surges in Three Svalbard Glaciers Derived from Historic Sources and Geomorphic Features Journal Article
In: Annals of the American Association of Geographers, vol. 113, no. 8, pp. 1835-1855, 2023, ISSN: 24694452, (1).
@article{2-s2.0-85159260040,
title = {Surges in Three Svalbard Glaciers Derived from Historic Sources and Geomorphic Features},
author = { P. Zagórski and K. Frydrych and J.A. Jania and M. Błaszczyk and M. Sund and M. Moskalik},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85159260040&doi=10.1080%2f24694452.2023.2200487&partnerID=40&md5=271ab95a17c817b59a9d529a953a5fad},
doi = {10.1080/24694452.2023.2200487},
issn = {24694452},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
journal = {Annals of the American Association of Geographers},
volume = {113},
number = {8},
pages = {1835-1855},
publisher = {Taylor and Francis Ltd.},
abstract = {Surge-type glaciers in Svalbard are common and have been studied extensively. Whereas active phases of surges were observed and thoroughly investigated recently, data on surges in the past are limited. They are essential, however, to assess the duration of the surge cycle, to determine relation to climatic impulses, and to better understand triggering factors and the mechanism of this phenomenon. Three glaciers located in Recherchefjorden, NW Wedel Jarlsberg Land (Svalbard) were studied because they undergo the same regional climate conditions but differ by the basin’s size and morphology front types. The article employed different types of data, including geomorphological records, cartographic, graphic, and bibliographic sources. These sources permitted the determination of the location of the termini of glaciers and the quantitative and qualitative description of the rate of changes determined with computer analysis and statistical compilation. Such analysis of other data sources enabled the reconstruction of glaciers’ behavior in the past. Glacier surges in the study area correspond with this type of phenomenon in Svalbard. The results obtained showed a certain synchronization of surges in the 1820s and 1830s, the 1880s, the first half of the twentieth century, and particularly the last decade. © 2023 by American Association of Geographers.},
note = {1},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Surge-type glaciers in Svalbard are common and have been studied extensively. Whereas active phases of surges were observed and thoroughly investigated recently, data on surges in the past are limited. They are essential, however, to assess the duration of the surge cycle, to determine relation to climatic impulses, and to better understand triggering factors and the mechanism of this phenomenon. Three glaciers located in Recherchefjorden, NW Wedel Jarlsberg Land (Svalbard) were studied because they undergo the same regional climate conditions but differ by the basin’s size and morphology front types. The article employed different types of data, including geomorphological records, cartographic, graphic, and bibliographic sources. These sources permitted the determination of the location of the termini of glaciers and the quantitative and qualitative description of the rate of changes determined with computer analysis and statistical compilation. Such analysis of other data sources enabled the reconstruction of glaciers’ behavior in the past. Glacier surges in the study area correspond with this type of phenomenon in Svalbard. The results obtained showed a certain synchronization of surges in the 1820s and 1830s, the 1880s, the first half of the twentieth century, and particularly the last decade. © 2023 by American Association of Geographers.
Jawak, S. D.; Pohjola, V. A.; Kääb, A. M.; Andersen, B. N.; Błaszczyk, M.; Salzano, R.; Luks, B.; Enomoto, H.; Høgda, K. A.; Moholdt, G.; Dinessen, F.; Fjæraa, A. M.
Status of Earth Observation and Remote Sensing Applications in Svalbard Book
MDPI, 2023, ISSN: 20724292, (1).
@book{2-s2.0-85146596269,
title = {Status of Earth Observation and Remote Sensing Applications in Svalbard},
author = { S.D. Jawak and V.A. Pohjola and A.M. Kääb and B.N. Andersen and M. Błaszczyk and R. Salzano and B. Luks and H. Enomoto and K.A. Høgda and G. Moholdt and F. Dinessen and A.M. Fjæraa},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85146596269&doi=10.3390%2frs15020513&partnerID=40&md5=5228a2c87dd39417dbfb0ca385c81092},
doi = {10.3390/rs15020513},
issn = {20724292},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-01-01},
journal = {Remote Sensing},
volume = {15},
number = {2},
publisher = {MDPI},
abstract = {[No abstract available]},
note = {1},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {book}
}
[No abstract available]
2022
Renc, A.; Łupikasza, E. B.; Błaszczyk, M.
Spatial structure of the surface heat and cold islands in summer based on Landsat 8 imagery in southern Poland Journal Article
In: Ecological Indicators, vol. 142, 2022, ISSN: 1470160X, (1).
@article{2-s2.0-85134892555,
title = {Spatial structure of the surface heat and cold islands in summer based on Landsat 8 imagery in southern Poland},
author = { A. Renc and E.B. Łupikasza and M. Błaszczyk},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85134892555&doi=10.1016%2fj.ecolind.2022.109181&partnerID=40&md5=f6cb511e4e46bc5cba0f14cf0909725d},
doi = {10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109181},
issn = {1470160X},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Ecological Indicators},
volume = {142},
publisher = {Elsevier B.V.},
abstract = {The intense development of cities and related replacement of vegetated areas with impervious surfaces contributed to the intensification of the urban heat island effect, which is a hazardous phenomenon for humans. In this study, the spatial structure of the surface heat and cold island (SHI and SCI; respectively) in the Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowska Metropolis (GZM), the most urbanized and populated area in Poland, is investigated using four Landsat 8 satellite images recorded in the summers between 2015 and 2019. The satellite images processed to the land surface temperature (LST) and the Corine Land Cover 2018 (CLC 2018) classification were used to calculate indicators of the spatial extent and intensity of SHI and SCI. Their spatial extents in the GZM ranged from 15.4 to 16.4% and 12.2–19.4%, respectively, depending on the analyzed days with a large percentage of the agricultural areas within the SHI boundaries. Therefore, an original approach to delineate the surface urban heat island (SUHI) is proposed. This approach reduced the extent of the GZM SHI by 2.9 to 2.0%, depending on the day. In the GZM, more than 70% of the SHI consisted of discontinuous urban fabric and industrial or commercial units. Heat island indices recognized the spatial structure of SUHI as an archipelago. Vegetation and crops constituted 90% of the SCI, and these land cover types explained most of the SCI variability over time compared to the SHI. The vegetation expanded, and its characteristics continually changed during the summer season. Moreover, vegetation was more sensitive to changes in meteorological conditions than impervious surfaces. The LST was most strongly correlated with the percentage share of artificial areas in the GZM districts. In turn, the correlations between LST and forest and semi natural areas were much weaker when precipitation occurred before the recording of satellite images. The intensity of SUHI in the GZM ranged from approximately 5 to 9 °C depending on the date and the method of identifying urban and nonurban areas. © 2022 The Author(s)},
note = {1},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The intense development of cities and related replacement of vegetated areas with impervious surfaces contributed to the intensification of the urban heat island effect, which is a hazardous phenomenon for humans. In this study, the spatial structure of the surface heat and cold island (SHI and SCI; respectively) in the Górnośląsko-Zagłębiowska Metropolis (GZM), the most urbanized and populated area in Poland, is investigated using four Landsat 8 satellite images recorded in the summers between 2015 and 2019. The satellite images processed to the land surface temperature (LST) and the Corine Land Cover 2018 (CLC 2018) classification were used to calculate indicators of the spatial extent and intensity of SHI and SCI. Their spatial extents in the GZM ranged from 15.4 to 16.4% and 12.2–19.4%, respectively, depending on the analyzed days with a large percentage of the agricultural areas within the SHI boundaries. Therefore, an original approach to delineate the surface urban heat island (SUHI) is proposed. This approach reduced the extent of the GZM SHI by 2.9 to 2.0%, depending on the day. In the GZM, more than 70% of the SHI consisted of discontinuous urban fabric and industrial or commercial units. Heat island indices recognized the spatial structure of SUHI as an archipelago. Vegetation and crops constituted 90% of the SCI, and these land cover types explained most of the SCI variability over time compared to the SHI. The vegetation expanded, and its characteristics continually changed during the summer season. Moreover, vegetation was more sensitive to changes in meteorological conditions than impervious surfaces. The LST was most strongly correlated with the percentage share of artificial areas in the GZM districts. In turn, the correlations between LST and forest and semi natural areas were much weaker when precipitation occurred before the recording of satellite images. The intensity of SUHI in the GZM ranged from approximately 5 to 9 °C depending on the date and the method of identifying urban and nonurban areas. © 2022 The Author(s)
Ignatiuk, D.; Błaszczyk, M.; Budzik, T.; Grabiec, M.; Jania, J. A.; Kondracka, M.; Laska, M.; Małarzewski, Ł.; Stachnik, Ł.
A decade of glaciological and meteorological observations in the Arctic (Werenskioldbreen, Svalbard) Journal Article
In: Earth System Science Data, vol. 14, no. 5, pp. 2487-2500, 2022, ISSN: 18663508, (6).
@article{2-s2.0-85130244205,
title = {A decade of glaciological and meteorological observations in the Arctic (Werenskioldbreen, Svalbard)},
author = { D. Ignatiuk and M. Błaszczyk and T. Budzik and M. Grabiec and J.A. Jania and M. Kondracka and M. Laska and Ł. Małarzewski and Ł. Stachnik},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85130244205&doi=10.5194%2fessd-14-2487-2022&partnerID=40&md5=8056e47ce7607db329b08a2602f71612},
doi = {10.5194/essd-14-2487-2022},
issn = {18663508},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Earth System Science Data},
volume = {14},
number = {5},
pages = {2487-2500},
publisher = {Copernicus Publications},
abstract = {The warming of the Arctic climate is well documented, but the mechanisms of Arctic amplification are still not fully understood. Thus, monitoring of glaciological and meteorological variables and the environmental response to accelerated climate warming must be continued and developed in Svalbard. Long-term meteorological observations carried out in situ on glaciers in conjunction with glaciological monitoring are rare in the Arctic and significantly expand our knowledge about processes in the polar environment. This study presents glaciological and meteorological data collected for 2009-2020 in southern Spitsbergen (Werenskioldbreen). The meteorological data are composed of air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, short-wave and long-wave upwelling and downwelling radiation on 10gmin, hourly and daily resolution (2009-2020). The snow dataset includes 49 data records from 2009 to 2019 with the snow depth, snow bulk density and snow water equivalent data. The glaciological data consist of seasonal and annual surface mass balance measurements (point and glacier-wide) for 2009-2020. The paper also includes modelling of the daily glacier surface ablation (2009-2020) based on the presented data. The datasets are expected to serve as local forcing data in hydrological and glaciological models as well as validation of calibration of remote sensing products. The datasets are available from the Polish Polar Database (https://ppdb.us.edu.pl/; last access: 24 May 2022) and Zenodo (10.5281/zenodo.6528321; Ignatiuk; 2021a; 10.5281/zenodo.5792168; Ignatiuk; 2021b). © 2022 EDP Sciences. All rights reserved.},
note = {6},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The warming of the Arctic climate is well documented, but the mechanisms of Arctic amplification are still not fully understood. Thus, monitoring of glaciological and meteorological variables and the environmental response to accelerated climate warming must be continued and developed in Svalbard. Long-term meteorological observations carried out in situ on glaciers in conjunction with glaciological monitoring are rare in the Arctic and significantly expand our knowledge about processes in the polar environment. This study presents glaciological and meteorological data collected for 2009-2020 in southern Spitsbergen (Werenskioldbreen). The meteorological data are composed of air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, short-wave and long-wave upwelling and downwelling radiation on 10gmin, hourly and daily resolution (2009-2020). The snow dataset includes 49 data records from 2009 to 2019 with the snow depth, snow bulk density and snow water equivalent data. The glaciological data consist of seasonal and annual surface mass balance measurements (point and glacier-wide) for 2009-2020. The paper also includes modelling of the daily glacier surface ablation (2009-2020) based on the presented data. The datasets are expected to serve as local forcing data in hydrological and glaciological models as well as validation of calibration of remote sensing products. The datasets are available from the Polish Polar Database (https://ppdb.us.edu.pl/; last access: 24 May 2022) and Zenodo (10.5281/zenodo.6528321; Ignatiuk; 2021a; 10.5281/zenodo.5792168; Ignatiuk; 2021b). © 2022 EDP Sciences. All rights reserved.
Błaszczyk, M.; Laska, M.; Sivertsen, A.; Jawak, S. D.
Combined Use of Aerial Photogrammetry and Terrestrial Laser Scanning for Detecting Geomorphological Changes in Hornsund, Svalbard Journal Article
In: Remote Sensing, vol. 14, no. 3, 2022, ISSN: 20724292, (12).
@article{2-s2.0-85124136862,
title = {Combined Use of Aerial Photogrammetry and Terrestrial Laser Scanning for Detecting Geomorphological Changes in Hornsund, Svalbard},
author = { M. Błaszczyk and M. Laska and A. Sivertsen and S.D. Jawak},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85124136862&doi=10.3390%2frs14030601&partnerID=40&md5=106711c5bc4c520beb112a63eaa8e7b7},
doi = {10.3390/rs14030601},
issn = {20724292},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-01-01},
journal = {Remote Sensing},
volume = {14},
number = {3},
publisher = {MDPI},
abstract = {The Arctic is a region undergoing continuous and significant changes in land relief due to different glaciological, geomorphological and hydrogeological processes. To study those phenomena, digital elevation models (DEMs) and highly accurate maps with high spatial resolution are of prime importance. In this work, we assess the accuracy of high-resolution photogrammetric DEMs and orthomosaics derived from aerial images captured in 2020 over Hornsund, Svalbard. Further, we demonstrate the accuracy of DEMs generated using point clouds acquired in 2021 with a Riegl VZ®-6000 terrestrial laser scanner (TLS). Aerial and terrestrial data were georeferenced and registered based on very reliable ground control points measured in the field. Both DEMs, however, had some data gaps due to insufficient overlaps in aerial images and limited sensing range of the TLS. Therefore, we compared and integrated the two techniques to create a continuous and gapless DEM for the scientific community in Svalbard. This approach also made it possible to identify geomorphological activity over a one-year period, such as the melting of ice cores at the periglacial zone, changes along the shoreline or snow thickness in gullies. The study highlights the potential for combining other techniques to represent the active processes in this region. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.},
note = {12},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The Arctic is a region undergoing continuous and significant changes in land relief due to different glaciological, geomorphological and hydrogeological processes. To study those phenomena, digital elevation models (DEMs) and highly accurate maps with high spatial resolution are of prime importance. In this work, we assess the accuracy of high-resolution photogrammetric DEMs and orthomosaics derived from aerial images captured in 2020 over Hornsund, Svalbard. Further, we demonstrate the accuracy of DEMs generated using point clouds acquired in 2021 with a Riegl VZ®-6000 terrestrial laser scanner (TLS). Aerial and terrestrial data were georeferenced and registered based on very reliable ground control points measured in the field. Both DEMs, however, had some data gaps due to insufficient overlaps in aerial images and limited sensing range of the TLS. Therefore, we compared and integrated the two techniques to create a continuous and gapless DEM for the scientific community in Svalbard. This approach also made it possible to identify geomorphological activity over a one-year period, such as the melting of ice cores at the periglacial zone, changes along the shoreline or snow thickness in gullies. The study highlights the potential for combining other techniques to represent the active processes in this region. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
2021
Błaszczyk, M.; Jania, J. A.; Ciepły, M.; Grabiec, M.; Ignatiuk, D.; Kolondra, L.; Kruss, A.; Luks, B.; Moskalik, M.; Pastusiak, T.; Strzelewicz, A.; Walczowski, W.; Wawrzyniak, T.
Factors Controlling Terminus Position of Hansbreen, a Tidewater Glacier in Svalbard Journal Article
In: Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface, vol. 126, no. 2, 2021, ISSN: 21699003, (8).
@article{2-s2.0-85101556111,
title = {Factors Controlling Terminus Position of Hansbreen, a Tidewater Glacier in Svalbard},
author = { M. Błaszczyk and J.A. Jania and M. Ciepły and M. Grabiec and D. Ignatiuk and L. Kolondra and A. Kruss and B. Luks and M. Moskalik and T. Pastusiak and A. Strzelewicz and W. Walczowski and T. Wawrzyniak},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85101556111&doi=10.1029%2f2020JF005763&partnerID=40&md5=1ef236ce438063f6bcd65406aff0dd64},
doi = {10.1029/2020JF005763},
issn = {21699003},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface},
volume = {126},
number = {2},
publisher = {Blackwell Publishing Ltd},
abstract = {The mechanism of glacier recession and its climatic controls are complex processes that differ across the Arctic region. Here, we investigate factors influencing front variations of Hansbreen, a glacier terminated in Hornsund fjord (SW Svalbard). We apply remote sensing data to observe glacier front fluctuations between 1992 and 2015 and compare them to atmospheric and oceanographic data, sea water depth at the terminus and surface velocity. Rate of subglacial meltwater discharge approximated by the seasonal positive degree-day index (PDD) together with sea thermal conditions appear to be the main factors responsible for the fluctuations of the front of Hansbreen, while water depth at the front plays a secondary role. Taking into account ocean and air thermal conditions, the studied period has been divided into warm, cold and moderate years. The glacier retreated considerably throughout a bedrock overdeepening in the very warm period 2012–2014. This recession coincided with a slower ice flow due to intense subglacial runoff and increased submarine melting. The long-term retreat was interrupted by glacier advances in colder years, regardless of water depth at the front. The slower recession rate was the combined effect of decreased subglacial melting and increased glacier movement associated with lower subglacial runoff. Although the seasonal PDD is a good indicator of the front fluctuations, the duration of the retreat and advance periods are strongly correlated with the sea surface temperature. Expected climate warming and an increase of water temperature in the West Spitsbergen Current will stimulate further recession of Hansbreen in future. © 2020. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.},
note = {8},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The mechanism of glacier recession and its climatic controls are complex processes that differ across the Arctic region. Here, we investigate factors influencing front variations of Hansbreen, a glacier terminated in Hornsund fjord (SW Svalbard). We apply remote sensing data to observe glacier front fluctuations between 1992 and 2015 and compare them to atmospheric and oceanographic data, sea water depth at the terminus and surface velocity. Rate of subglacial meltwater discharge approximated by the seasonal positive degree-day index (PDD) together with sea thermal conditions appear to be the main factors responsible for the fluctuations of the front of Hansbreen, while water depth at the front plays a secondary role. Taking into account ocean and air thermal conditions, the studied period has been divided into warm, cold and moderate years. The glacier retreated considerably throughout a bedrock overdeepening in the very warm period 2012–2014. This recession coincided with a slower ice flow due to intense subglacial runoff and increased submarine melting. The long-term retreat was interrupted by glacier advances in colder years, regardless of water depth at the front. The slower recession rate was the combined effect of decreased subglacial melting and increased glacier movement associated with lower subglacial runoff. Although the seasonal PDD is a good indicator of the front fluctuations, the duration of the retreat and advance periods are strongly correlated with the sea surface temperature. Expected climate warming and an increase of water temperature in the West Spitsbergen Current will stimulate further recession of Hansbreen in future. © 2020. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
Jawak, S. D.; Andersen, B. N.; Pohjola, V. A.; Godøy, Ø.; Hübner, C.; Jennings, I.; Ignatiuk, D.; Holmén, K.; Sivertsen, A.; Hann, R.; Tømmervik, H.; Kääb, A. M.; Błaszczyk, M.; Salzano, R.; Luks, B.; Høgda, K. A.; Storvold, R.; Nilsen, L.; Salvatori, R.; Krishnan, K. P.; Chatterjee, S.; Lorentzen, D. A.; Erlandsson, R.; Lauknes, T. R.; Malnes, E.; Karlsen, S. R.; Enomoto, H.; Fjæraa, A. M.; Zhang, J.; Marty, S.; Nygård, K. O.; Lihavainen, H.
Sios’s earth observation (Eo), remote sensing (rs), and operational activities in response to covid-19 Journal Article
In: Remote Sensing, vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 1-31, 2021, ISSN: 20724292, (5).
@article{2-s2.0-85101256210,
title = {Sios’s earth observation (Eo), remote sensing (rs), and operational activities in response to covid-19},
author = { S.D. Jawak and B.N. Andersen and V.A. Pohjola and Ø. Godøy and C. Hübner and I. Jennings and D. Ignatiuk and K. Holmén and A. Sivertsen and R. Hann and H. Tømmervik and A.M. Kääb and M. Błaszczyk and R. Salzano and B. Luks and K.A. Høgda and R. Storvold and L. Nilsen and R. Salvatori and K.P. Krishnan and S. Chatterjee and D.A. Lorentzen and R. Erlandsson and T.R. Lauknes and E. Malnes and S.R. Karlsen and H. Enomoto and A.M. Fjæraa and J. Zhang and S. Marty and K.O. Nygård and H. Lihavainen},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85101256210&doi=10.3390%2frs13040712&partnerID=40&md5=086e0da1b1b2ae4a371d4588a765d206},
doi = {10.3390/rs13040712},
issn = {20724292},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-01},
journal = {Remote Sensing},
volume = {13},
number = {4},
pages = {1-31},
publisher = {MDPI AG},
abstract = {Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System (SIOS) is an international partner-ship of research institutions studying the environment and climate in and around Svalbard. SIOS is developing an efficient observing system, where researchers share technology, experience, and data, work together to close knowledge gaps, and decrease the environmental footprint of science. SIOS maintains and facilitates various scientific activities such as the State of the Environmental Science in Svalbard (SESS) report, international access to research infrastructure in Svalbard, Earth observation and remote sensing services, training courses for the Arctic science community, and open access to data. This perspective paper highlights the activities of SIOS Knowledge Centre, the central hub of SIOS, and the SIOS Remote Sensing Working Group (RSWG) in response to the unprecedented situation imposed by the global pandemic corona-virus (SARS-CoV-2) disease 2019 (COVID-19). The pandemic has affected Svalbard research in several ways. When Norway declared a nationwide lockdown to decrease the rate of spread of the COVID-19 in the community, even more strict measures were taken to protect the Svalbard community from the potential spread of the disease. Due to the lockdown, travel restrictions, and quarantine regulations declared by many nations, most physical meetings, training courses, conferences, and workshops worldwide were cancelled by the first week of March 2020. The resumption of physical scientific meetings is still uncertain in the foreseeable future. Addition-ally, field campaigns to polar regions, including Svalbard, were and remain severely affected. In response to this changing situation, SIOS initiated several operational activities suitable to miti-gate the new challenges resulting from the pandemic. This article provides an extensive overview of SIOS’s Earth observation (EO), remote sensing (RS) and other operational activities strengthened and developed in response to COVID-19 to support the Svalbard scientific community in times of cancelled/postponed field campaigns in Svalbard. These include (1) an initi-ative to patch up field data (in situ) with RS observations, (2) a logistics sharing notice board for effective coordinating field activities in the pandemic times, (3) a monthly webinar series and panel discussion on EO talks, (4) an online conference on EO and RS, (5) the SIOS’s special issue in the Remote Sensing (MDPI) journal, (6) the conversion of a terrestrial remote sensing training course into an online edition, and (7) the announcement of opportunity (AO) in airborne remote sensing for filling the data gaps using aerial imagery and hyperspectral data. As SIOS is a con-sortium of 24 research institutions from 9 nations, this paper also presents an extensive overview of the activities from a few research institutes in pandemic times and highlights our upcoming activities for the next year 2021. Finally, we provide a critical perspective on our overall response, possible broader impacts, relevance to other observing systems, and future directions. We hope that our practical services, experiences, and activities implemented in these difficult times will motivate other similar monitoring programs and observing systems when responding to future challenging situations. With a broad scientific audience in mind, we present our perspective paper on activities in Svalbard as a case study. © 2021 by the authors. Li-censee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.},
note = {5},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System (SIOS) is an international partner-ship of research institutions studying the environment and climate in and around Svalbard. SIOS is developing an efficient observing system, where researchers share technology, experience, and data, work together to close knowledge gaps, and decrease the environmental footprint of science. SIOS maintains and facilitates various scientific activities such as the State of the Environmental Science in Svalbard (SESS) report, international access to research infrastructure in Svalbard, Earth observation and remote sensing services, training courses for the Arctic science community, and open access to data. This perspective paper highlights the activities of SIOS Knowledge Centre, the central hub of SIOS, and the SIOS Remote Sensing Working Group (RSWG) in response to the unprecedented situation imposed by the global pandemic corona-virus (SARS-CoV-2) disease 2019 (COVID-19). The pandemic has affected Svalbard research in several ways. When Norway declared a nationwide lockdown to decrease the rate of spread of the COVID-19 in the community, even more strict measures were taken to protect the Svalbard community from the potential spread of the disease. Due to the lockdown, travel restrictions, and quarantine regulations declared by many nations, most physical meetings, training courses, conferences, and workshops worldwide were cancelled by the first week of March 2020. The resumption of physical scientific meetings is still uncertain in the foreseeable future. Addition-ally, field campaigns to polar regions, including Svalbard, were and remain severely affected. In response to this changing situation, SIOS initiated several operational activities suitable to miti-gate the new challenges resulting from the pandemic. This article provides an extensive overview of SIOS’s Earth observation (EO), remote sensing (RS) and other operational activities strengthened and developed in response to COVID-19 to support the Svalbard scientific community in times of cancelled/postponed field campaigns in Svalbard. These include (1) an initi-ative to patch up field data (in situ) with RS observations, (2) a logistics sharing notice board for effective coordinating field activities in the pandemic times, (3) a monthly webinar series and panel discussion on EO talks, (4) an online conference on EO and RS, (5) the SIOS’s special issue in the Remote Sensing (MDPI) journal, (6) the conversion of a terrestrial remote sensing training course into an online edition, and (7) the announcement of opportunity (AO) in airborne remote sensing for filling the data gaps using aerial imagery and hyperspectral data. As SIOS is a con-sortium of 24 research institutions from 9 nations, this paper also presents an extensive overview of the activities from a few research institutes in pandemic times and highlights our upcoming activities for the next year 2021. Finally, we provide a critical perspective on our overall response, possible broader impacts, relevance to other observing systems, and future directions. We hope that our practical services, experiences, and activities implemented in these difficult times will motivate other similar monitoring programs and observing systems when responding to future challenging situations. With a broad scientific audience in mind, we present our perspective paper on activities in Svalbard as a case study. © 2021 by the authors. Li-censee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
2020
Barzycka, B.; Grabiec, M.; Błaszczyk, M.; Ignatiuk, D.; Laska, M.; Hagen, J. O. M.; Jania, J. A.
Changes of glacier facies on Hornsund glaciers (Svalbard) during the decade 2007–2017 Journal Article
In: Remote Sensing of Environment, vol. 251, 2020, ISSN: 00344257, (5).
@article{2-s2.0-85091253817,
title = {Changes of glacier facies on Hornsund glaciers (Svalbard) during the decade 2007–2017},
author = { B. Barzycka and M. Grabiec and M. Błaszczyk and D. Ignatiuk and M. Laska and J.O.M. Hagen and J.A. Jania},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85091253817&doi=10.1016%2fj.rse.2020.112060&partnerID=40&md5=b5780b8e8884ddd39b23acc4e892b50e},
doi = {10.1016/j.rse.2020.112060},
issn = {00344257},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Remote Sensing of Environment},
volume = {251},
publisher = {Elsevier Inc.},
abstract = {Changes in glacier facies (glacier zones), such as firn or superimposed ice (SI), are good indicators of glacier response to climate change. They are especially important for fast-warming Svalbard, where only a few glaciers are under glaciological mass balance monitoring. This paper presents a first study of changes of glacier facies extent for three tidewater glaciers located in southern Spitsbergen (Svalbard) and it is based on both satellite remote sensing and terrestrial data analysis, covering two time spans: 2007–2017 for Hansbreen and 2012–2017 for Storbreen and Hornbreen. Satellite remote sensing analysis include unsupervised classification of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data from both decommissioned (ENVISAT ASAR) and modern satellite missions (RADARSAT-2; Sentinel-1). The results of the SAR classification are compared to the information on glacier zones retrieved from terrestrial data, i.e. shallow cores and visual interpretation of 800 MHz Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) profiles. In addition, a novel application of the Internal Reflection Power (IRP) coefficient as an objective method of distinguishing glacier zones based on GPR data is discussed. Changes in glacier facies areas over time are analysed, as well as their correlation to Hansbreen's mass balance. The main finding of the study is that firn and SI of Hansbreen, Storbreen and Hornbreen significantly decreased over the study period. For example, due to continuous negative mass balance between 2010 and 2017, the contribution of firn area to Hansbreen's total area decreased ca. 14% (cumulative firn area loss during that time: ~45%) whereas since 2012 SI has not been distinguished as a vast area on this glacier. In addition, an east–west gradient of firn area loss was observed as a result of differences in local climate conditions. Therefore, for the common time span (i.e. 2012–2017) Hansbreen recorded a ca. 12% loss of firn contribution to glacier area whereas Hornbreen recorded ca. 9%. Finally, application of the IRP coefficient as an objective method of glacier zones discrimination by GPR data gave very good results, so the method is recommended for future analysis of glacier zones instead, or as a support, to popular visual interpretation of the GPR profiles. © 2020 Elsevier Inc.},
note = {5},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Changes in glacier facies (glacier zones), such as firn or superimposed ice (SI), are good indicators of glacier response to climate change. They are especially important for fast-warming Svalbard, where only a few glaciers are under glaciological mass balance monitoring. This paper presents a first study of changes of glacier facies extent for three tidewater glaciers located in southern Spitsbergen (Svalbard) and it is based on both satellite remote sensing and terrestrial data analysis, covering two time spans: 2007–2017 for Hansbreen and 2012–2017 for Storbreen and Hornbreen. Satellite remote sensing analysis include unsupervised classification of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data from both decommissioned (ENVISAT ASAR) and modern satellite missions (RADARSAT-2; Sentinel-1). The results of the SAR classification are compared to the information on glacier zones retrieved from terrestrial data, i.e. shallow cores and visual interpretation of 800 MHz Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) profiles. In addition, a novel application of the Internal Reflection Power (IRP) coefficient as an objective method of distinguishing glacier zones based on GPR data is discussed. Changes in glacier facies areas over time are analysed, as well as their correlation to Hansbreen's mass balance. The main finding of the study is that firn and SI of Hansbreen, Storbreen and Hornbreen significantly decreased over the study period. For example, due to continuous negative mass balance between 2010 and 2017, the contribution of firn area to Hansbreen's total area decreased ca. 14% (cumulative firn area loss during that time: ~45%) whereas since 2012 SI has not been distinguished as a vast area on this glacier. In addition, an east–west gradient of firn area loss was observed as a result of differences in local climate conditions. Therefore, for the common time span (i.e. 2012–2017) Hansbreen recorded a ca. 12% loss of firn contribution to glacier area whereas Hornbreen recorded ca. 9%. Finally, application of the IRP coefficient as an objective method of glacier zones discrimination by GPR data gave very good results, so the method is recommended for future analysis of glacier zones instead, or as a support, to popular visual interpretation of the GPR profiles. © 2020 Elsevier Inc.
Glazer, M.; Dobiński, W.; Marciniak, A.; Majdański, M.; Błaszczyk, M.
Spatial distribution and controls of permafrost development in non-glacial Arctic catchment over the Holocene, Fuglebekken, SW Spitsbergen Journal Article
In: Geomorphology, vol. 358, 2020, ISSN: 0169555X, (9).
@article{2-s2.0-85080978887,
title = {Spatial distribution and controls of permafrost development in non-glacial Arctic catchment over the Holocene, Fuglebekken, SW Spitsbergen},
author = { M. Glazer and W. Dobiński and A. Marciniak and M. Majdański and M. Błaszczyk},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85080978887&doi=10.1016%2fj.geomorph.2020.107128&partnerID=40&md5=50698462862a8cc1e2cf74e3e6dc59a7},
doi = {10.1016/j.geomorph.2020.107128},
issn = {0169555X},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Geomorphology},
volume = {358},
publisher = {Elsevier B.V.},
abstract = {This article presents the distribution and properties of the permafrost based on electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) data collected at the Fuglebekken coastal catchment area in SW Spitsbergen. This work summarizes the development of permafrost in this area during the Holocene, from the mountain environment through to the system of elevated marine terraces found around the coast. The ERT models were analysed taking into consideration the non-unique nature of the data inversion process and the physical limitations of this method. Comparing the ERT and the MASW results allows a zonal characterization of the occurring ice-bearing permafrost and its correlation with the evolution history of the catchment area. Maritime transgression as well as intensive watercourses during past degradation episodes have altered the permafrost presence and ice-accumulating abilities of different sediment zones. Permafrost development depends greatly on the presence of surface watercourses in talus slopes. The youngest elevated uplifted marine terrace did not develop an ice-rich permafrost, but the presence of permafrost in a cryotic form is possible. The significant range of the fjord water infiltration found within the sedimentary cover have influenced the development of the coastal permafrost. The current structure of ice-bearing permafrost found in the research area seems to be very sensitive to the climatic changes. Based on these results, we propose a model for the formation of the current permafrost in the studied area. © 2020},
note = {9},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
This article presents the distribution and properties of the permafrost based on electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) data collected at the Fuglebekken coastal catchment area in SW Spitsbergen. This work summarizes the development of permafrost in this area during the Holocene, from the mountain environment through to the system of elevated marine terraces found around the coast. The ERT models were analysed taking into consideration the non-unique nature of the data inversion process and the physical limitations of this method. Comparing the ERT and the MASW results allows a zonal characterization of the occurring ice-bearing permafrost and its correlation with the evolution history of the catchment area. Maritime transgression as well as intensive watercourses during past degradation episodes have altered the permafrost presence and ice-accumulating abilities of different sediment zones. Permafrost development depends greatly on the presence of surface watercourses in talus slopes. The youngest elevated uplifted marine terrace did not develop an ice-rich permafrost, but the presence of permafrost in a cryotic form is possible. The significant range of the fjord water infiltration found within the sedimentary cover have influenced the development of the coastal permafrost. The current structure of ice-bearing permafrost found in the research area seems to be very sensitive to the climatic changes. Based on these results, we propose a model for the formation of the current permafrost in the studied area. © 2020
Dragańska-Deja, K.; Błaszczyk, M.; Deja, K.; Węsławski, J. M.; Rodak, J.
Tidewater glaciers as feeding spots for the Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla): A citizen science approach Journal Article
In: Polish Polar Research, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 69-93, 2020, ISSN: 01380338, (3).
@article{2-s2.0-85084758997,
title = {Tidewater glaciers as feeding spots for the Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla): A citizen science approach},
author = { K. Dragańska-Deja and M. Błaszczyk and K. Deja and J.M. Węsławski and J. Rodak},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85084758997&doi=10.24425%2fppr.2020.132570&partnerID=40&md5=b0f71fcd4c848ba1ac2618c0b2653e8f},
doi = {10.24425/ppr.2020.132570},
issn = {01380338},
year = {2020},
date = {2020-01-01},
journal = {Polish Polar Research},
volume = {41},
number = {1},
pages = {69-93},
publisher = {Polish Academy of Sciences},
abstract = {Thirty-one tidewater glacier bays in Spitsbergen Island were visited by yachts in August 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Surface water samples were taken by volunteers, the members of the yacht crews, to measure concentrations of suspended matter, salinity, and temperature. Secchi disc measurements were used to measure water transparency. A series of photographs along the glacier fronts were taken and used to count seabirds that were present near the glacier cliff. Basic topographic features (depth; presence of a sill; exposure; glacier width) were obtained from sea charts and analysed. The number of preying Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla; a target species) ranged from zero to over 2000 birds during 89 visits. High concentrations of individuals (above 100) were observed in 20% of the visits, while no birds were recorded in 42% of the visits. There was no statistical correlation between the topographic features of the glacier and bird concentrations. To our present knowledge, Black-legged Kittiwake feeding spots are random and temporary in time in which (or soon after) the juveniles are leaving the colony. They are a recurrent phenomenon related to krill abundance and simultaneous jet-like meltwater discharges. Copyright © 2020. Dragańska-Deja, Błaszczyk, Deja, Węsławski and Rodak. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided that the article is properly cited, t he use is non-commercial, and no modifications or adaptations are made.},
note = {3},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Thirty-one tidewater glacier bays in Spitsbergen Island were visited by yachts in August 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Surface water samples were taken by volunteers, the members of the yacht crews, to measure concentrations of suspended matter, salinity, and temperature. Secchi disc measurements were used to measure water transparency. A series of photographs along the glacier fronts were taken and used to count seabirds that were present near the glacier cliff. Basic topographic features (depth; presence of a sill; exposure; glacier width) were obtained from sea charts and analysed. The number of preying Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla; a target species) ranged from zero to over 2000 birds during 89 visits. High concentrations of individuals (above 100) were observed in 20% of the visits, while no birds were recorded in 42% of the visits. There was no statistical correlation between the topographic features of the glacier and bird concentrations. To our present knowledge, Black-legged Kittiwake feeding spots are random and temporary in time in which (or soon after) the juveniles are leaving the colony. They are a recurrent phenomenon related to krill abundance and simultaneous jet-like meltwater discharges. Copyright © 2020. Dragańska-Deja, Błaszczyk, Deja, Węsławski and Rodak. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/), which permits use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided that the article is properly cited, t he use is non-commercial, and no modifications or adaptations are made.
2019
Błaszczyk, M.; Ignatiuk, D.; Grabiec, M.; Kolondra, L.; Laska, M.; Decaux, L.; Jania, J. A.; Berthier, E.; Luks, B.; Barzycka, B.; Czapla, M.
In: Remote Sensing, vol. 11, no. 9, 2019, ISSN: 20724292, (22).
@article{2-s2.0-85065706353,
title = {Quality assessment and glaciological applications of digital elevation models derived from space-borne and aerial images over two tidewater glaciers of southern spitsbergen},
author = { M. Błaszczyk and D. Ignatiuk and M. Grabiec and L. Kolondra and M. Laska and L. Decaux and J.A. Jania and E. Berthier and B. Luks and B. Barzycka and M. Czapla},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85065706353&doi=10.3390%2frs11091121&partnerID=40&md5=626b9c5b2afcde929d4332920b85ce35},
doi = {10.3390/rs11091121},
issn = {20724292},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
journal = {Remote Sensing},
volume = {11},
number = {9},
publisher = {MDPI AG},
abstract = {In this study, we assess the accuracy and precision of digital elevation models (DEM) retrieved from aerial photographs taken in 2011 and from Very High Resolution satellite images (WorldView-2 and Pléiades) from the period 2012-2017. Additionally, the accuracy of the freely available Strip product of ArcticDEM was verified. We use the DEMs to characterize geometry changes over Hansbreen and Hornbreen, two tidewater glaciers in southern Spitsbergen, Svalbard. The satellite-based DEMs from WorldView-2 and Pléiades stereo pairs were processed using the Rational Function Model (RFM) without and with one ground control point. The elevation quality of the DEMs over glacierized areas was validated with in situ data: static differential GPS survey of mass balance stakes and GPS kinematic data acquired during ground penetrating radar survey. Results demonstrate the usefulness of the analyzed sources of DEMs for estimation of the total geodetic mass balance of the Svalbard glaciers. DEM accuracy is sufficient to investigate glacier surface elevation changes above 1 m. Strips from the ArcticDEM are generally precise, but some of them showed gross errors and need to be handled with caution. The surface of Hansbreen and Hornbreen has been lowering in recent years. The average annual elevation changes for Hansbreen were more negative in the period 2015-2017 (-2.4 m a-1) than in the period 2011-2015 (-1.7 m a-1). The average annual elevation changes over the studied area of Hornbreen for the period 2012-2017 amounted to -1.6 m a-1. The geodetic mass balance for Hansbreen was more negative than the climatic mass balance estimated using the mass budget method, probably due to underestimation of the ice discharge. From 2011 to 2017, Hansbreen lost on average over 1% of its volume each year. Such a high rate of relative loss illustrates how fast these glaciers are responding to climate change. © 2019 by the authors.},
note = {22},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
In this study, we assess the accuracy and precision of digital elevation models (DEM) retrieved from aerial photographs taken in 2011 and from Very High Resolution satellite images (WorldView-2 and Pléiades) from the period 2012-2017. Additionally, the accuracy of the freely available Strip product of ArcticDEM was verified. We use the DEMs to characterize geometry changes over Hansbreen and Hornbreen, two tidewater glaciers in southern Spitsbergen, Svalbard. The satellite-based DEMs from WorldView-2 and Pléiades stereo pairs were processed using the Rational Function Model (RFM) without and with one ground control point. The elevation quality of the DEMs over glacierized areas was validated with in situ data: static differential GPS survey of mass balance stakes and GPS kinematic data acquired during ground penetrating radar survey. Results demonstrate the usefulness of the analyzed sources of DEMs for estimation of the total geodetic mass balance of the Svalbard glaciers. DEM accuracy is sufficient to investigate glacier surface elevation changes above 1 m. Strips from the ArcticDEM are generally precise, but some of them showed gross errors and need to be handled with caution. The surface of Hansbreen and Hornbreen has been lowering in recent years. The average annual elevation changes for Hansbreen were more negative in the period 2015-2017 (-2.4 m a-1) than in the period 2011-2015 (-1.7 m a-1). The average annual elevation changes over the studied area of Hornbreen for the period 2012-2017 amounted to -1.6 m a-1. The geodetic mass balance for Hansbreen was more negative than the climatic mass balance estimated using the mass budget method, probably due to underestimation of the ice discharge. From 2011 to 2017, Hansbreen lost on average over 1% of its volume each year. Such a high rate of relative loss illustrates how fast these glaciers are responding to climate change. © 2019 by the authors.
Arntsen, M.; Sundfjord, A.; Skogseth, R.; Błaszczyk, M.; Strzelewicz, A.
Inflow of Warm Water to the Inner Hornsund Fjord, Svalbard: Exchange Mechanisms and Influence on Local Sea Ice Cover and Glacier Front Melting Journal Article
In: Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, vol. 124, no. 3, pp. 1915-1931, 2019, ISSN: 21699275, (7).
@article{2-s2.0-85063294530,
title = {Inflow of Warm Water to the Inner Hornsund Fjord, Svalbard: Exchange Mechanisms and Influence on Local Sea Ice Cover and Glacier Front Melting},
author = { M. Arntsen and A. Sundfjord and R. Skogseth and M. Błaszczyk and A. Strzelewicz},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85063294530&doi=10.1029%2f2018JC014315&partnerID=40&md5=f15b972aef394ee1271ad9c7565951b6},
doi = {10.1029/2018JC014315},
issn = {21699275},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans},
volume = {124},
number = {3},
pages = {1915-1931},
publisher = {Blackwell Publishing Ltd},
abstract = {Observational data covering currents and temperature through two contrasting autumn to spring periods (2010/2011 and 2013/2014) at the constricted entrance to the inner basin of the Hornsund fjord, Svalbard, are investigated. This fjord is presently undergoing significant changes, manifested by reduction of the seasonal sea ice cover and retreating tidewater glacier fronts. The data set presented here shows how local wind, tides, and longer period current fluctuations allow warm water of Atlantic origin to reach the innermost basin of the fjord. While the forcing factors of the exchange mechanisms are not seen to vary much between the two studied seasons, the effect of wind events on exchange is assumed to be modified by local stratification and sea ice concentration. The resulting heat transport depends on availability of heat in the central part of the fjord. The observations indicate that available heat in autumn and winter 2013/2014 effectively hindered formation of a stable sea ice cover. While the present data set does not enable direct quantification of the role of oceanic heat in tidewater glacier melting, we find that the net retreat of glacier fronts was 10 times larger in the warm (ocean) period 2013/2014 compared to the colder 2010/2011. ©2019. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.},
note = {7},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Observational data covering currents and temperature through two contrasting autumn to spring periods (2010/2011 and 2013/2014) at the constricted entrance to the inner basin of the Hornsund fjord, Svalbard, are investigated. This fjord is presently undergoing significant changes, manifested by reduction of the seasonal sea ice cover and retreating tidewater glacier fronts. The data set presented here shows how local wind, tides, and longer period current fluctuations allow warm water of Atlantic origin to reach the innermost basin of the fjord. While the forcing factors of the exchange mechanisms are not seen to vary much between the two studied seasons, the effect of wind events on exchange is assumed to be modified by local stratification and sea ice concentration. The resulting heat transport depends on availability of heat in the central part of the fjord. The observations indicate that available heat in autumn and winter 2013/2014 effectively hindered formation of a stable sea ice cover. While the present data set does not enable direct quantification of the role of oceanic heat in tidewater glacier melting, we find that the net retreat of glacier fronts was 10 times larger in the warm (ocean) period 2013/2014 compared to the colder 2010/2011. ©2019. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
Barzycka, B.; Błaszczyk, M.; Grabiec, M.; Jania, J. A.
Glacier facies of Vestfonna (Svalbard) based on SAR images and GPR measurements Journal Article
In: Remote Sensing of Environment, vol. 221, pp. 373-385, 2019, ISSN: 00344257, (7).
@article{2-s2.0-85057332619,
title = {Glacier facies of Vestfonna (Svalbard) based on SAR images and GPR measurements},
author = { B. Barzycka and M. Błaszczyk and M. Grabiec and J.A. Jania},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85057332619&doi=10.1016%2fj.rse.2018.11.020&partnerID=40&md5=5bcf2ca301942eb3d2ddb81dd43822db},
doi = {10.1016/j.rse.2018.11.020},
issn = {00344257},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
journal = {Remote Sensing of Environment},
volume = {221},
pages = {373-385},
publisher = {Elsevier Inc.},
abstract = {The warming climate of the Arctic affects the mass budget of glaciers, and changes in the distribution of glacier facies are indicative of their response to climate change. The glacial mass budget over large land ice masses can be estimated by remote sensing techniques, but selecting an efficient remote sensing method for recognizing and mapping glacier facies in the Arctic remains a challenge. In this study, we compared several methods of distinguishing the facies of the Vestfonna ice cap, Svalbard, based upon Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images and terrestrial high frequency Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) measurements. Glacier zones as determined using the backscattering coefficient (sigma0) of SAR images were compared against GPR data, and an alternative application of Internal Reflection Energy (IRE) calculated from terrestrial GPR data was also used for differentiating the extent of glacier facies. The IRE coefficient was found to offer a suitable method for distinguishing glacier zones and for validating SAR analysis. Furthermore, results of analysis of fully polarimetric Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (ALOS PALSAR) and European Remote Sensing Synthetic Aperture Radar (ERS-2 SAR) images were compared with the IRE coefficient classification. Especially promising method is H-α segmentation, where the glacier zone boundaries corresponded very well with both GPR visual interpretation and IRE classification results. The IRE coefficient's simplicity of calculation makes it a good alternative to the subjective GPR visual interpretation method, where results strongly depend on the operator's level of experience. We therefore recommend for GPR profiles to be used for additional validation of SAR image analysis in studies of glacier facies on the High Arctic ice masses. © 2018 The Author(s)},
note = {7},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The warming climate of the Arctic affects the mass budget of glaciers, and changes in the distribution of glacier facies are indicative of their response to climate change. The glacial mass budget over large land ice masses can be estimated by remote sensing techniques, but selecting an efficient remote sensing method for recognizing and mapping glacier facies in the Arctic remains a challenge. In this study, we compared several methods of distinguishing the facies of the Vestfonna ice cap, Svalbard, based upon Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images and terrestrial high frequency Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) measurements. Glacier zones as determined using the backscattering coefficient (sigma0) of SAR images were compared against GPR data, and an alternative application of Internal Reflection Energy (IRE) calculated from terrestrial GPR data was also used for differentiating the extent of glacier facies. The IRE coefficient was found to offer a suitable method for distinguishing glacier zones and for validating SAR analysis. Furthermore, results of analysis of fully polarimetric Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (ALOS PALSAR) and European Remote Sensing Synthetic Aperture Radar (ERS-2 SAR) images were compared with the IRE coefficient classification. Especially promising method is H-α segmentation, where the glacier zone boundaries corresponded very well with both GPR visual interpretation and IRE classification results. The IRE coefficient's simplicity of calculation makes it a good alternative to the subjective GPR visual interpretation method, where results strongly depend on the operator's level of experience. We therefore recommend for GPR profiles to be used for additional validation of SAR image analysis in studies of glacier facies on the High Arctic ice masses. © 2018 The Author(s)
Błaszczyk, M.; Ignatiuk, D.; Uszczyk, A.; Cielecka-Nowak, K.; Grabiec, M.; Jania, J. A.; Moskalik, M.; Walczowski, W.
Freshwater input to the arctic fjord hornsund (Svalbard) Journal Article
In: Polar Research, vol. 38, 2019, ISSN: 08000395, (24).
@article{2-s2.0-85062621972,
title = {Freshwater input to the arctic fjord hornsund (Svalbard)},
author = { M. Błaszczyk and D. Ignatiuk and A. Uszczyk and K. Cielecka-Nowak and M. Grabiec and J.A. Jania and M. Moskalik and W. Walczowski},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85062621972&doi=10.33265%2fpolar.v38.3506&partnerID=40&md5=33151800504d66ff86c2fd25c5b8e431},
doi = {10.33265/polar.v38.3506},
issn = {08000395},
year = {2019},
date = {2019-01-01},
journal = {Polar Research},
volume = {38},
publisher = {Norwegian Polar Institute},
abstract = {Glaciers draining to the Hornsund basin (southern Spitsbergen; Svalbard) have experienced a significant retreat and mass volume loss over the last decades, increasing the input of freshwater into the fjord. An increase in freshwater input can influence fjord hydrology, hydrodynamics, sediment flux and biota, especially in a changing climate. Here, we describe the sources of freshwater supply to the fjord based on glaciological and meteorological data from the period 2006 to 2015. The average freshwater input from land to the Hornsund bay is calculated as 2517 ± 82 Mt a−1, with main contributions from glacier meltwater runoff (986 Mt a−1; 39%) and frontal ablation of tidewater glaciers (634 Mt a−1; 25%). Tidewater glaciers in Hornsund lose ca. 40% of their mass by frontal ablation. The terminus retreat component accounts for ca. 30% of the mass loss by frontal ablation, but it can vary between 17% and 44% depending on oceanological, meteorological and geomorphological factors. The contribution of the total precipitation over land excluding winter snowfall (520 Mt a−1), total precipitation over the fjord area (180 Mt a−1) and melting of the snow cover over unglaciated areas (197 Mt a−1) to the total freshwater input appear to be small: 21%, 7% and 8%, respectively. © 2019 M. Błaszczyk et al.},
note = {24},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Glaciers draining to the Hornsund basin (southern Spitsbergen; Svalbard) have experienced a significant retreat and mass volume loss over the last decades, increasing the input of freshwater into the fjord. An increase in freshwater input can influence fjord hydrology, hydrodynamics, sediment flux and biota, especially in a changing climate. Here, we describe the sources of freshwater supply to the fjord based on glaciological and meteorological data from the period 2006 to 2015. The average freshwater input from land to the Hornsund bay is calculated as 2517 ± 82 Mt a−1, with main contributions from glacier meltwater runoff (986 Mt a−1; 39%) and frontal ablation of tidewater glaciers (634 Mt a−1; 25%). Tidewater glaciers in Hornsund lose ca. 40% of their mass by frontal ablation. The terminus retreat component accounts for ca. 30% of the mass loss by frontal ablation, but it can vary between 17% and 44% depending on oceanological, meteorological and geomorphological factors. The contribution of the total precipitation over land excluding winter snowfall (520 Mt a−1), total precipitation over the fjord area (180 Mt a−1) and melting of the snow cover over unglaciated areas (197 Mt a−1) to the total freshwater input appear to be small: 21%, 7% and 8%, respectively. © 2019 M. Błaszczyk et al.
2018
Grabiec, M.; Ignatiuk, D.; Jania, J. A.; Moskalik, M.; Głowacki, P.; Błaszczyk, M.; Budzik, T.; Walczowski, W.
Coast formation in an Arctic area due to glacier surge and retreat: The Hornbreen–Hambergbreen case from Spistbergen Journal Article
In: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, vol. 43, no. 2, pp. 387-400, 2018, ISSN: 01979337, (29).
@article{2-s2.0-85031328749,
title = {Coast formation in an Arctic area due to glacier surge and retreat: The Hornbreen–Hambergbreen case from Spistbergen},
author = { M. Grabiec and D. Ignatiuk and J.A. Jania and M. Moskalik and P. Głowacki and M. Błaszczyk and T. Budzik and W. Walczowski},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85031328749&doi=10.1002%2fesp.4251&partnerID=40&md5=cb31a5efbe9ef9e0be3fcaf6d2c3809e},
doi = {10.1002/esp.4251},
issn = {01979337},
year = {2018},
date = {2018-01-01},
journal = {Earth Surface Processes and Landforms},
volume = {43},
number = {2},
pages = {387-400},
publisher = {John Wiley and Sons Ltd},
abstract = {Glacierised coasts undergo faster geomorphic processes than unglaciated ones. We have studied changes of the coastal area in southern Svalbard with the glacier bridge between Torell Land and Sørkapp Land since the beginning of the 20th century. The existence of a continuous subglacial depression beneath the Hornbreen–Hambergbreen glacier system has been debated since the 1960s, with inconclusive results. In this study we assess both the subglacial topography and the bathymetry of Hornsund Fjord and Hambergbukta bay. This included ~40 km of radar surveys over the glacial system and sea depth sounding. The extent of the glaciers from maps and satellite images together with digital terrain models and surface elevation data based on GPS profiling were used to analyse geometry changes of the glacier surfaces. The results confirm the existence of a continuous subglacial depression below sea level (c. 40 m deep) between Hornsund and the Barents Sea. The Hornbreen-Hambergbreen system has changed in shape over the past century, reflecting its dynamic origin and activity, also exemplified by the sequential surges identified since 1899. There was a pre-surge build-up event of Flatbreen causing a surge and subsequent lowering of the Hornbreen-Hambergbreen frontal parts by the 1960s. After, the entire surface lowered, albeit with a delay in the Hornbreen terminal zone. Since the year 2000, Hornbreen terminus has retreated at an average rate of 106 m a−1; ~50% faster than that of Hambergbreen. If the retreat continues at the 2000–2015 average rate, the ice bridge between Hornsund and Hambergbukta will be broken sometime between 2055 and 2065 and the Hornsund strait will separate Sørkapp Land from the Spitsbergen island. The processes and events described in this study, particularly the effects of the glacier surge, may provide a model for changes likely to occur in other coastal glaciated regions experiencing rapid change. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.},
note = {29},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Glacierised coasts undergo faster geomorphic processes than unglaciated ones. We have studied changes of the coastal area in southern Svalbard with the glacier bridge between Torell Land and Sørkapp Land since the beginning of the 20th century. The existence of a continuous subglacial depression beneath the Hornbreen–Hambergbreen glacier system has been debated since the 1960s, with inconclusive results. In this study we assess both the subglacial topography and the bathymetry of Hornsund Fjord and Hambergbukta bay. This included ~40 km of radar surveys over the glacial system and sea depth sounding. The extent of the glaciers from maps and satellite images together with digital terrain models and surface elevation data based on GPS profiling were used to analyse geometry changes of the glacier surfaces. The results confirm the existence of a continuous subglacial depression below sea level (c. 40 m deep) between Hornsund and the Barents Sea. The Hornbreen-Hambergbreen system has changed in shape over the past century, reflecting its dynamic origin and activity, also exemplified by the sequential surges identified since 1899. There was a pre-surge build-up event of Flatbreen causing a surge and subsequent lowering of the Hornbreen-Hambergbreen frontal parts by the 1960s. After, the entire surface lowered, albeit with a delay in the Hornbreen terminal zone. Since the year 2000, Hornbreen terminus has retreated at an average rate of 106 m a−1; ~50% faster than that of Hambergbreen. If the retreat continues at the 2000–2015 average rate, the ice bridge between Hornsund and Hambergbukta will be broken sometime between 2055 and 2065 and the Hornsund strait will separate Sørkapp Land from the Spitsbergen island. The processes and events described in this study, particularly the effects of the glacier surge, may provide a model for changes likely to occur in other coastal glaciated regions experiencing rapid change. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
2016
Cinque, L.; Cossu, R.; Mansutti, D.; Spitaleri, R. M.; Błaszczyk, M.
Tuning of level-set speed function for speckled image segmentation Journal Article
In: Pattern Analysis and Applications, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 1081-1092, 2016, ISSN: 14337541, (1).
@article{2-s2.0-84955586862,
title = {Tuning of level-set speed function for speckled image segmentation},
author = { L. Cinque and R. Cossu and D. Mansutti and R.M. Spitaleri and M. Błaszczyk},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84955586862&doi=10.1007%2fs10044-016-0532-4&partnerID=40&md5=a23c9bd46772a078be18803d4efdfc34},
doi = {10.1007/s10044-016-0532-4},
issn = {14337541},
year = {2016},
date = {2016-01-01},
journal = {Pattern Analysis and Applications},
volume = {19},
number = {4},
pages = {1081-1092},
publisher = {Springer London},
abstract = {The segmentation of speckled images, as the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images, is usually recognized as a very complex problem, because of the speckle, multiplicative noise, which produces granular images. In segmentation problems, based on level set method, the evolution of the curve is determined by a speed function, which is fundamental to achieve a good segmentation. In this paper we propose a study of the new speed function obtained by the linear combination of image average intensity and image gradient speed functions. Thus the aim is tuning the combined speed in the segmentation process. We segmented synthetic images by tuning parameters of the new speed function and we evaluated the best computed results. Then we applied this experimental setup to real SAR images, which are PRecision Images, acquired during European Remote Sensing mission, and a Cosmo-SkyMed image. In particular, we are interested in monitoring complex areas with low light covered by clouds, as coastlines and polar regions may be. In Earth Observation, the acquisition of SAR data becomes fundamental, since the SAR sensor can work in the night/day and in all weather conditions. © 2016, Springer-Verlag London.},
note = {1},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The segmentation of speckled images, as the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images, is usually recognized as a very complex problem, because of the speckle, multiplicative noise, which produces granular images. In segmentation problems, based on level set method, the evolution of the curve is determined by a speed function, which is fundamental to achieve a good segmentation. In this paper we propose a study of the new speed function obtained by the linear combination of image average intensity and image gradient speed functions. Thus the aim is tuning the combined speed in the segmentation process. We segmented synthetic images by tuning parameters of the new speed function and we evaluated the best computed results. Then we applied this experimental setup to real SAR images, which are PRecision Images, acquired during European Remote Sensing mission, and a Cosmo-SkyMed image. In particular, we are interested in monitoring complex areas with low light covered by clouds, as coastlines and polar regions may be. In Earth Observation, the acquisition of SAR data becomes fundamental, since the SAR sensor can work in the night/day and in all weather conditions. © 2016, Springer-Verlag London.
2015
Zagórski, P.; Rodzik, J.; Moskalik, M.; Strzelecki, M. C.; Lim, M.; Błaszczyk, M.; Strzelewicz, A.; Kruszewski, G.; Styszyńska, A.; Malczewski, A.
Multidecadal (1960-2011) shoreline changes in Isbjørnhamna (Hornsund, Svalbard) Journal Article
In: Polish Polar Research, vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 369-390, 2015, ISSN: 01380338, (24).
@article{2-s2.0-84951984480,
title = {Multidecadal (1960-2011) shoreline changes in Isbjørnhamna (Hornsund, Svalbard)},
author = { P. Zagórski and J. Rodzik and M. Moskalik and M.C. Strzelecki and M. Lim and M. Błaszczyk and A. Strzelewicz and G. Kruszewski and A. Styszyńska and A. Malczewski},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84951984480&doi=10.1515%2fpopore-2015-0019&partnerID=40&md5=01b51bf6c810e1af50d35b3020d4b67f},
doi = {10.1515/popore-2015-0019},
issn = {01380338},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-01-01},
journal = {Polish Polar Research},
volume = {36},
number = {4},
pages = {369-390},
publisher = {Walter de Gruyter GmbH},
abstract = {A section of a gravel-dominated coast in Isbjørnhamna (Hornsund; Svalbard) was analysed to calculate the rate of shoreline changes and explain processes controlling coastal zone development over last 50 years. Between 1960 and 2011, coastal landscape of Isbjørnhamna experienced a significant shift from dominated by influence of tide-water glacier and protected by prolonged sea-ice conditions towards storm-affected and rapidly changing coast. Information derived from analyses of aerial images and geomorphological mapping shows that the Isbjørnhamna coastal zone is dominated by coastal erosion resulting in a shore area reduction of more than 31,600 m2. With ∼3,500 m2 of local aggradation, the general balance of changes in the study area of the shore is negative, and amounts to a loss of more than 28,000 m2. Mean shoreline change is -13.1 m (-0.26 m a-1). Erosional processes threaten the Polish Polar Station infrastructure and may damage of one of the storage buildings in nearby future. © 2015 Polish Academy of Sciences.},
note = {24},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
A section of a gravel-dominated coast in Isbjørnhamna (Hornsund; Svalbard) was analysed to calculate the rate of shoreline changes and explain processes controlling coastal zone development over last 50 years. Between 1960 and 2011, coastal landscape of Isbjørnhamna experienced a significant shift from dominated by influence of tide-water glacier and protected by prolonged sea-ice conditions towards storm-affected and rapidly changing coast. Information derived from analyses of aerial images and geomorphological mapping shows that the Isbjørnhamna coastal zone is dominated by coastal erosion resulting in a shore area reduction of more than 31,600 m2. With ∼3,500 m2 of local aggradation, the general balance of changes in the study area of the shore is negative, and amounts to a loss of more than 28,000 m2. Mean shoreline change is -13.1 m (-0.26 m a-1). Erosional processes threaten the Polish Polar Station infrastructure and may damage of one of the storage buildings in nearby future. © 2015 Polish Academy of Sciences.
Glowacki, O.; Deane, G. B.; Moskalik, M.; Blondel, P.; Tegowski, J.; Błaszczyk, M.
Underwater acoustic signatures of glacier calving Journal Article
In: Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 42, no. 3, pp. 804-812, 2015, ISSN: 00948276, (35).
@article{2-s2.0-84924953730,
title = {Underwater acoustic signatures of glacier calving},
author = { O. Glowacki and G.B. Deane and M. Moskalik and P. Blondel and J. Tegowski and M. Błaszczyk},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84924953730&doi=10.1002%2f2014GL062859&partnerID=40&md5=5fdd99f25833fc378ae08db633d33bcd},
doi = {10.1002/2014GL062859},
issn = {00948276},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-01-01},
journal = {Geophysical Research Letters},
volume = {42},
number = {3},
pages = {804-812},
publisher = {Blackwell Publishing Ltd},
abstract = {Climate-driven ice-water interactions in the contact zone between marine-terminating glaciers and the ocean surface show a dynamic and complex nature. Tidewater glaciers lose volume through the poorly understood process of calving. A detailed description of the mechanisms controlling the course of calving is essential for the reliable estimation and prediction of mass loss from glaciers. Here we present the potential of hydroacoustic methods to investigate different modes of ice detachments. High-frequency underwater ambient noise recordings are combined with synchronized, high-resolution, time-lapse photography of the Hans Glacier cliff in Hornsund Fjord, Spitsbergen, to identify three types of calving events: typical subaerial, sliding subaerial, and submarine. A quantitative analysis of the data reveals a robust correlation between ice impact energy and acoustic emission at frequencies below 200Hz for subaerial calving. We suggest that relatively inexpensive acoustic methods can be successfully used to provide quantitative descriptions of the various calving types. © 2015 The Authors.},
note = {35},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Climate-driven ice-water interactions in the contact zone between marine-terminating glaciers and the ocean surface show a dynamic and complex nature. Tidewater glaciers lose volume through the poorly understood process of calving. A detailed description of the mechanisms controlling the course of calving is essential for the reliable estimation and prediction of mass loss from glaciers. Here we present the potential of hydroacoustic methods to investigate different modes of ice detachments. High-frequency underwater ambient noise recordings are combined with synchronized, high-resolution, time-lapse photography of the Hans Glacier cliff in Hornsund Fjord, Spitsbergen, to identify three types of calving events: typical subaerial, sliding subaerial, and submarine. A quantitative analysis of the data reveals a robust correlation between ice impact energy and acoustic emission at frequencies below 200Hz for subaerial calving. We suggest that relatively inexpensive acoustic methods can be successfully used to provide quantitative descriptions of the various calving types. © 2015 The Authors.
Martín-Español, A.; Navarro, F. J.; Otero, J.; Lapazaran, J. J.; Błaszczyk, M.
In: Journal of Glaciology, vol. 61, no. 225, pp. 29-41, 2015, ISSN: 00221430, (25).
@article{2-s2.0-84929409211,
title = {Estimate of the total volume of Svalbard glaciers, and their potential contribution to sea-level rise, using new regionally based scaling relationships},
author = { A. Martín-Español and F.J. Navarro and J. Otero and J.J. Lapazaran and M. Błaszczyk},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84929409211&doi=10.3189%2f2015JoG14J159&partnerID=40&md5=9571340240f6588f95badc04141f7b68},
doi = {10.3189/2015JoG14J159},
issn = {00221430},
year = {2015},
date = {2015-01-01},
journal = {Journal of Glaciology},
volume = {61},
number = {225},
pages = {29-41},
publisher = {International Glaciology Society},
abstract = {We present a set of new volume scaling relationships specific to Svalbard glaciers, derived from a sample of 60 volume-area pairs. Glacier volumes are computed from ground-penetrating radar (GPR)-retrieved ice thickness measurements, which have been compiled from different sources for this study. The most precise scaling models, in terms of lowest cross-validation errors, are obtained using a multivariate approach where, in addition to glacier area, glacier length and elevation range are also used as predictors. Using this multivariate scaling approach, together with the Randolph Glacier Inventory V3.2 for Svalbard and Jan Mayen, we obtain a regional volume estimate of 6700±835 km3, or 17±2 mm of sea-level equivalent (SLE). This result lies in the mid- to low range of recently published estimates, which show values as varied as 13 and 24 mm SLE. We assess the sensitivity of the scaling exponents to glacier characteristics such as size, aspect ratio and average slope, and find that the volume of steep-slope and cirque-type glaciers is not very sensitive to changes in glacier area. © 2015 International Glaciology Society. All rights reserved.},
note = {25},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
We present a set of new volume scaling relationships specific to Svalbard glaciers, derived from a sample of 60 volume-area pairs. Glacier volumes are computed from ground-penetrating radar (GPR)-retrieved ice thickness measurements, which have been compiled from different sources for this study. The most precise scaling models, in terms of lowest cross-validation errors, are obtained using a multivariate approach where, in addition to glacier area, glacier length and elevation range are also used as predictors. Using this multivariate scaling approach, together with the Randolph Glacier Inventory V3.2 for Svalbard and Jan Mayen, we obtain a regional volume estimate of 6700±835 km3, or 17±2 mm of sea-level equivalent (SLE). This result lies in the mid- to low range of recently published estimates, which show values as varied as 13 and 24 mm SLE. We assess the sensitivity of the scaling exponents to glacier characteristics such as size, aspect ratio and average slope, and find that the volume of steep-slope and cirque-type glaciers is not very sensitive to changes in glacier area. © 2015 International Glaciology Society. All rights reserved.
2014
Moskalik, M.; Błaszczyk, M.; Jania, J. A.
Statistical analysis of Brepollen bathymetry as a key to determine average depths on a glacier foreland Journal Article
In: Geomorphology, vol. 206, pp. 262-270, 2014, ISSN: 0169555X, (8).
@article{2-s2.0-84894985681,
title = {Statistical analysis of Brepollen bathymetry as a key to determine average depths on a glacier foreland},
author = { M. Moskalik and M. Błaszczyk and J.A. Jania},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84894985681&doi=10.1016%2fj.geomorph.2013.09.029&partnerID=40&md5=db8bc6d306c8e196834d1359cef4a842},
doi = {10.1016/j.geomorph.2013.09.029},
issn = {0169555X},
year = {2014},
date = {2014-01-01},
journal = {Geomorphology},
volume = {206},
pages = {262-270},
abstract = {The study demonstrates the usefulness of statistical analysis to classify valleys because of the influence of the glaciers that formed them, as well as to determine the average depth at their cross-section parallel to the glacier front. Moreover, the usefulness of the analysis of shape of the histogram of depth, the value of skewness and kurtosis, and the relation between the average, median, and mode of depths to classify valleys is shown. The statistical analysis of the normalized shape of the valley cross-sections allowed establishment of the relation between the measured depth, the location of the measurements and the average depth of the valley cross-sections. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.},
note = {8},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The study demonstrates the usefulness of statistical analysis to classify valleys because of the influence of the glaciers that formed them, as well as to determine the average depth at their cross-section parallel to the glacier front. Moreover, the usefulness of the analysis of shape of the histogram of depth, the value of skewness and kurtosis, and the relation between the average, median, and mode of depths to classify valleys is shown. The statistical analysis of the normalized shape of the valley cross-sections allowed establishment of the relation between the measured depth, the location of the measurements and the average depth of the valley cross-sections. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.
2013
Błaszczyk, M.; Jania, J. A.; Kolondra, L.
Fluctuations of tidewater glaciers in Hornsund Fjord (Southern Svalbard) since the beginning of the 20th century Journal Article
In: Polish Polar Research, vol. 34, no. 4, pp. 327-352, 2013, ISSN: 01380338, (116).
@article{2-s2.0-84889663540,
title = {Fluctuations of tidewater glaciers in Hornsund Fjord (Southern Svalbard) since the beginning of the 20th century},
author = { M. Błaszczyk and J.A. Jania and L. Kolondra},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84889663540&doi=10.2478%2fpopore-2013-0024&partnerID=40&md5=f0488969c944f3e2150630bd098bbe89},
doi = {10.2478/popore-2013-0024},
issn = {01380338},
year = {2013},
date = {2013-01-01},
journal = {Polish Polar Research},
volume = {34},
number = {4},
pages = {327-352},
abstract = {Significant retreat of glaciers terminating in Hornsund Fjord (Southern Spitsbergen; Svalbard) has been observed during the 20th century and in the first decade of the 21st century. The objective of this paper is to present, as complete as possible, a record of front positions changes of 14 tidewater glaciers during this period and to distinguish the main factors influencing their fluctuations. Results are based on a GIS analysis of archival maps, field measurements, and aerial and satellite images. Accuracy was based on an assessment of seasonal fluctuations of a glacier's ice cliff position with respect to its minimum length in winter (November-December) and its maximum advance position in June or July.Morphometric features and the environmental setting of each glacier are also presented. The total area of the glacier cover in Hornsund Fjord in the period of 1899-2010 diminished approximately 172 km2, with an average areal retreat rate of 1.6 km2a-1. The recession rate increased from ~1 km2a-1 in first decades of the 20th century up to ~3 km2a-1 in years 2001-2010. The latest period was more thoroughly studied using optical satellite images acquired almost every year. The importance of glacier morphology and hypsometry, as well as fjord bathymetry and topography is analyzed. Large glacier systemswith low slopes terminating in deeper waters are retreating faster than small steep glaciers terminating in shallower water. A relation between mean annual air temperature and aerial retreat rate of tidewater glaciers was found for long time scales. A sudden temperature increase, known as the early 20th century warming in Svalbard, and an increase in temperatures during recent decades are well reflected in deglaciation rate. Influence of sea water temperatures on calving and retreat of glaciers was considered and is significant in short-time intervals of the last decade. Surge events are non-climatic factors which complicate the record. They are reflected in front advance or fast retreat due to a massive calving depending on the relation between ice thickness and water depth. Despite the influence of many factors, the response of tidewater glaciers to climate change is evident. The average linear retreat rate of all the tidewater glaciers in Hornsund amounted to ~70 ma-1 in 2001-2010 and was higher than the average retreat of other Svalbard tidewater glaciers (~45 ma-1). Thus, glaciers of this basin can be considered as more sensitive to climate than glaciers of other regions of the archipelago.},
note = {116},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Significant retreat of glaciers terminating in Hornsund Fjord (Southern Spitsbergen; Svalbard) has been observed during the 20th century and in the first decade of the 21st century. The objective of this paper is to present, as complete as possible, a record of front positions changes of 14 tidewater glaciers during this period and to distinguish the main factors influencing their fluctuations. Results are based on a GIS analysis of archival maps, field measurements, and aerial and satellite images. Accuracy was based on an assessment of seasonal fluctuations of a glacier's ice cliff position with respect to its minimum length in winter (November-December) and its maximum advance position in June or July.Morphometric features and the environmental setting of each glacier are also presented. The total area of the glacier cover in Hornsund Fjord in the period of 1899-2010 diminished approximately 172 km2, with an average areal retreat rate of 1.6 km2a-1. The recession rate increased from ~1 km2a-1 in first decades of the 20th century up to ~3 km2a-1 in years 2001-2010. The latest period was more thoroughly studied using optical satellite images acquired almost every year. The importance of glacier morphology and hypsometry, as well as fjord bathymetry and topography is analyzed. Large glacier systemswith low slopes terminating in deeper waters are retreating faster than small steep glaciers terminating in shallower water. A relation between mean annual air temperature and aerial retreat rate of tidewater glaciers was found for long time scales. A sudden temperature increase, known as the early 20th century warming in Svalbard, and an increase in temperatures during recent decades are well reflected in deglaciation rate. Influence of sea water temperatures on calving and retreat of glaciers was considered and is significant in short-time intervals of the last decade. Surge events are non-climatic factors which complicate the record. They are reflected in front advance or fast retreat due to a massive calving depending on the relation between ice thickness and water depth. Despite the influence of many factors, the response of tidewater glaciers to climate change is evident. The average linear retreat rate of all the tidewater glaciers in Hornsund amounted to ~70 ma-1 in 2001-2010 and was higher than the average retreat of other Svalbard tidewater glaciers (~45 ma-1). Thus, glaciers of this basin can be considered as more sensitive to climate than glaciers of other regions of the archipelago.
2009
Błaszczyk, M.; Jania, J. A.; Hagen, J. O. M.
Tidewater glaciers of Svalbard: Recent changes and estimates of calving fluxes Journal Article
In: Polish Polar Research, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 85-142, 2009, ISSN: 01380338, (164).
@article{2-s2.0-67949123290,
title = {Tidewater glaciers of Svalbard: Recent changes and estimates of calving fluxes},
author = { M. Błaszczyk and J.A. Jania and J.O.M. Hagen},
url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-67949123290&partnerID=40&md5=658c48075fbaa626c1489f311726d3e0},
issn = {01380338},
year = {2009},
date = {2009-01-01},
journal = {Polish Polar Research},
volume = {30},
number = {2},
pages = {85-142},
abstract = {The purpose of this study is to describe the current state of tidewater glaciers in Svalbard as an extension of the inventory of Hagen et al. (1993). The ice masses of Svalbard cover an area of ca 36 600 km2 and more than 60% of the glaciated areas are glaciers which terminate in the sea at calving ice-cliffs. Recent data on the geometry of glacier tongues, their flow velocities and front position changes have been extracted from ASTER images acquired from 2000-2006 using automated methods of satellite image analysis. Analyses have shown that 163 Svalbard glaciers are of tidewater type (having contact with the ocean) and the total length of their calving ice-cliffs is 860 km. When compared with the previous inventory, 14 glaciers retreated from the ocean to the land over a 30-40 year period. Eleven formerly land-based glaciers now terminate in the sea. A new method of assessing the dynamic state of glaciers, based on patterns of frontal crevassing, has been developed. Tide-water glacier termini are divided into four groups on the basis of differences in crevasse patterns and flow velocity: (1) very slow or stagnant glaciers, (2) slow-flowing glaciers, (3) fast-flowing glaciers, (4) surging glaciers (in the active phase) and fast ice streams. This classification has enabled us to estimate total calving flux from Svalbard glaciers with an accuracy appreciably higher than that of previous attempts. Mass loss due to calving from the whole archipelago (excluding Kvitøya) is estimated to be 5.0-8.4 km3 yr-1 (water equivalent - w.e.), with a mean value 6.75 ± 1.7 km3 yr-1 (w.e.). Thus, ablation due to calving contributes as much as 17-25% (with a mean value 21%) to the overall mass loss from Svalbard glaciers. By implication, the contribution of Svalbard iceberg flux to sea-level rise amounts to ca 0.02 mm yr-1. Also calving flux in the Arctic has been considered and the highest annual specific mass balance attributable to iceberg calving has been found for Svalbard.},
note = {164},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
The purpose of this study is to describe the current state of tidewater glaciers in Svalbard as an extension of the inventory of Hagen et al. (1993). The ice masses of Svalbard cover an area of ca 36 600 km2 and more than 60% of the glaciated areas are glaciers which terminate in the sea at calving ice-cliffs. Recent data on the geometry of glacier tongues, their flow velocities and front position changes have been extracted from ASTER images acquired from 2000-2006 using automated methods of satellite image analysis. Analyses have shown that 163 Svalbard glaciers are of tidewater type (having contact with the ocean) and the total length of their calving ice-cliffs is 860 km. When compared with the previous inventory, 14 glaciers retreated from the ocean to the land over a 30-40 year period. Eleven formerly land-based glaciers now terminate in the sea. A new method of assessing the dynamic state of glaciers, based on patterns of frontal crevassing, has been developed. Tide-water glacier termini are divided into four groups on the basis of differences in crevasse patterns and flow velocity: (1) very slow or stagnant glaciers, (2) slow-flowing glaciers, (3) fast-flowing glaciers, (4) surging glaciers (in the active phase) and fast ice streams. This classification has enabled us to estimate total calving flux from Svalbard glaciers with an accuracy appreciably higher than that of previous attempts. Mass loss due to calving from the whole archipelago (excluding Kvitøya) is estimated to be 5.0-8.4 km3 yr-1 (water equivalent - w.e.), with a mean value 6.75 ± 1.7 km3 yr-1 (w.e.). Thus, ablation due to calving contributes as much as 17-25% (with a mean value 21%) to the overall mass loss from Svalbard glaciers. By implication, the contribution of Svalbard iceberg flux to sea-level rise amounts to ca 0.02 mm yr-1. Also calving flux in the Arctic has been considered and the highest annual specific mass balance attributable to iceberg calving has been found for Svalbard.