Open AccessHistorical fluctuations of calving glaciers in South and West Greenland
Author(s) -
Anker Weidick
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
rapport
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2597-2944
pISSN - 0418-6559
DOI - 10.34194/rapggu.v161.8244
Subject(s) - tidewater , ice calving , glacier , geology , future sea level , greenland ice sheet , ice sheet , ice stream , physical geography , climatology , antarctic sea ice , cryosphere , glacier morphology , oceanography , geography , sea ice , pregnancy , lactation , biology , genetics
Fluctuations of calf-ice producing outlets of the Julianehåb ice cap and other local glaciers in South Greenland, and outlets of the Inland Ice in South and West Greenland between latitudes 60° and 73°N from c. A.D. 1850 to the present time are reviewed. Seasonal variations of the fast running tidewater glaciers (ice streams) may veil long term trends, but in general it is concluded that the mode of activity (advance or retreat) is nearly synchronous for the outlets and their neighbouring land-based segments, whereas amplitude differs; topographical control is important for short-term fluctuations but should not be over-emphasised. The situation around 1990 is one of spreading readvance and the observed behavioural patterns fit with Huybrechts' model for the present dynamic situation of the ice cover. This model indicates that the ice sheet generally is expanding as a consequence of the climatic cooling since the Holocene climatic optimum but also locates areas with present thinning of the ice margin.