Can we use crevasse fill ridges for identifying undocumented surge behavior in Svalbard?

Abstract:

Documenting glaciers that exhibit surge type behavior is crucial, especially as we attempt to use evidence of ice front fluctuations for reconstructing past climate oscillations. Controversy exists regarding the relationship between surge activity and climatic processes such as mass balance. This project identifies undocumented surge type glaciers in Svalbard based on the presence of crevasse fill ridges (CFRs) visible in glacier forelands. Although it is acknowledged that many Svalbard outlet glaciers surge, estimates vary greatly as to the actual number of surge- type glaciers in Svalbard, and their distribution pattern is not well understood. A detailed survey of recent (2008-2011), high resolution imagery from Toposvalbard, provided by the Norwegian Polar Institute, allowed for a rapid analysis of Svalbard outlet glaciers. Using CFRs as indicators of surge behavior has almost doubled the amount of potential surge-type glaciers in central Spitsbergen. This method also highlights numerous other glaciers of potential surge type behavior throughout the archipelago. Limits to the CFR identification method are discussed. Additionally as the forelands of previously reported surge type glaciers were analyzed for CFRs, it was evident that the surge indicators were only present in approximately half of the forelands. Numerous factors control the formation and preservation of CFRs including; glacier size, bedrock lithology, subglacial sediments and clast size as well as glacial fluvial run-off. This poster focuses on the controlling factors for CFR formation and preservation as well as other potential methods for effectively identifying surge behavior.