Glacier surges in Iceland, with special reference to the surges of Brúarjökull

Abstract

The glacier surges that have occurred in Iceland since 1890 are listed, and the largest ones, those of Brúarjökull in 1890 and 1963–64, are described. The glacier area affected by the surges of Brúarjökull is about 1400 km2, the volume of ice and firn affected is about 700 km3, and the total advance of the glacier front is 8–10 km. The maximum rate of advance of the glacier front in 1963 was at least 5 m/hour. Brúarjökull's surges seem to occur with an interval of 70–100 years.