Proglacial lake evolution coincident with glacier dynamics in the frontal zone of Kvíárjökull, South‐East Iceland

Author:

Kavan Jan123ORCID,Stuchlík Radim1,Carrivick Jonathan L.4ORCID,Hanáček Martin1,Stringer Christopher D.4,Roman Matěj15,Holuša Jakub1ORCID,Dagsson‐Waldhauserová Pavla67,Láska Kamil1,Nývlt Daniel1

Affiliation:

1. Polar‐Geo Lab, Faculty of Science Masaryk University Brno Czechia

2. Alfred Jahn Cold Regions Research Centre, Institute of Geography and Regional Development University of Wroclaw Wroclaw Poland

3. Centre for Polar Ecology, Faculty of Science University of South Bohemia České Budějovice Czechia

4. School of Geography and water@leeds University of Leeds Leeds West Yorkshire UK

5. Centre for Glaciology, Department of Geography and Earth Science Aberystwyth University Aberystwyth Wales UK

6. Agricultural University of Iceland Borgarnes Iceland

7. Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Prague Czechia

Abstract

AbstractThe termini of Icelandic glaciers are highly dynamic environments. Pronounced changes in frontal ablation in recent years have consequently changed ice dynamics. In this study, we reveal the inter‐seasonal dynamics of the Kvíárjökull ablation zone and proglacial zone using ArcticDEM and Sentinel‐2 images acquired between 2011 and 2021 and intra‐seasonal dynamics with repeated UAV surveys during summer 2021. Average glacier surface velocity in the ablation zone ranged from 51 m year−1 in 2015 up to 199 m year−1 in 2018, with maxima within the axial zone of the glacier and minima on the glacier edges. Coincidentally, and in accordance with glacier retreat/advance, the ice‐marginal proglacial lake fluctuated in its area, and we interpret that it was also a key factor in the development of the glacier terminus morphology. A complex spatial pattern of glacier surface elevation changes, including thickening in the frontal true left margin of the terminus, is interpreted to be due to variable subglacial topography, relatively fast ice flow from the accumulation zone and an insulating effect of glacier surface debris cover. In contrast, the true right (southern) part of the glacier terminus experienced thinning and retreat/disintegration also during the 2021 summer season, which we attribute to enhanced frontal ablation connected to the intrusion of lake water into the crevassed glacier terminus. Overall, this study suggests that where glaciers are developing ice‐marginal lakes complex patterns of glacier dynamics and mass loss can be expected, which will confound understanding of the short‐term evolution of these environments.

Funder

Masarykova Univerzita

EEA Grants

Natural Environment Research Council

Grantová Agentura České Republiky

Rannís

Publisher

Wiley

Subject

Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous),Earth-Surface Processes,Geography, Planning and Development

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3