science
Glaciers in Svalbard Are Melting at a Record Pace
Marine glacier fronts in Svalbard are melting at a record pace. Over the past two years, ten of Svalbard’s glaciers have retreated entirely onto land.
Published
Large glacier fronts extending into the sea are a characteristic feature of Svalbard.
Since 2013, researchers at the Norwegian Polar Institute have mapped all the glacier fronts that extend into the sea around the archipelago.
This year's measurements show that the glaciers have retreated more than ever before.
"This year, the measurements show record retreat. The previous record was set last year, so there have been enormous retreats particularly over the past two years."
Glaciologist Geir Moholdt at the Norwegian Polar Institute tells High North News. He has researched the glaciers in Svalbard for more than 20 years.
Several hundred metres melted away
Several of Svalbard's large glaciers retreated by 600 to 900 metres between 2024 and 2026. These include Kronebreen, Monacobreen and Storisstraumen on Austfonna.
Moholdt explains that the surface melt season is short and intense, with the glaciers retreating by a couple of metres each year.
The greatest ice losses, however, occur underwater. There, the glaciers can melt by several metres per day.
"The sea remains warm well into autumn, and it takes a long time for the water to cool down in winter."
According to the Norwegian Polar Institute, the melting is probably due to a combination of warmer ocean currents and regional warming caused by a warmer atmosphere and less sea ice.
When the glaciers retreat onto land, life in the fjords also changes.
"This leads to less circulation in the fjord, which changes the living conditions for both large and small species in the area. For some species, it may perhaps be an advantage, but for the majority it is a major and unfavourable change," Moholdt explains.
Fears further developments
Moholdt hopes that the major retreats of the past two years are an exception, but fears that the trend will continue.
"It could lead to rapid changes in Svalbard's natural landscape, with new islands where the glaciers once lay, and less spectacular scenery. The glaciers may simply become a little tamer."
He adds that the Arctic is changing particularly rapidly, and that this development is linked to global climate change.
"The development has already progressed so far that it will continue whether we want it to or not, but it is still possible to limit the extent by reducing greenhouse gas emissions," he concludes.
