Dynamics throughout a complete surge of Iceberg Glacier on western Axel Heiberg Island, Canadian High Arctic
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Dynamics throughout a complete surge of Iceberg Glacier on western Axel Heiberg Island, Canadian High Arctic. / Lauzon, Benoit; Copland, Luke; Van Wychen, Wesley; Kochtitzky, William; McNabb, Robert; Dahl-Jensen, Dorthe.
In: Journal of Glaciology, Vol. 69, 12.10.2023, p. 1333-1350.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Dynamics throughout a complete surge of Iceberg Glacier on western Axel Heiberg Island, Canadian High Arctic
AU - Lauzon, Benoit
AU - Copland, Luke
AU - Van Wychen, Wesley
AU - Kochtitzky, William
AU - McNabb, Robert
AU - Dahl-Jensen, Dorthe
PY - 2023/10/12
Y1 - 2023/10/12
N2 - This study provides the first comprehensive reconstruction of the dynamics of Iceberg Glacier, located on western Axel Heiberg Island, and reveals detailed observations of a complete surge for the first time in the Canadian Arctic. Historical aerial photographs, declassified intelligence satellite photographs, optical satellite imagery and synthetic aperture radar data were used to quantify changes in terminus position, ice velocity and glacier thickness since the 1950s. A surge initiated at the terminus in 1981 and terminated in 2003, suggesting a 22-year active phase. High surface velocities, reaching -2300 m a(-1) in 1991, were accompanied by a maximum terminus advance of >7 km and a large transfer of mass down-glacier, causing significant median trunk-wide surface elevation changes attaining >3 +/- 1 m a(-1). We suggest that the retreat from a pinning point, flotation of the terminus, the removal of sea-ice from the ice front, and an increase in subglacial meltwater availability from relatively high air temperatures in 1981 likely contributed to surge initiation. The ensuing quiescent period has seen a continual decrease in surface flow rates to an average centreline velocity of 11.5 m a(-1) in 2020-21, a gradual steepening of the glacier surface and a > 2.5 km terminus retreat.
AB - This study provides the first comprehensive reconstruction of the dynamics of Iceberg Glacier, located on western Axel Heiberg Island, and reveals detailed observations of a complete surge for the first time in the Canadian Arctic. Historical aerial photographs, declassified intelligence satellite photographs, optical satellite imagery and synthetic aperture radar data were used to quantify changes in terminus position, ice velocity and glacier thickness since the 1950s. A surge initiated at the terminus in 1981 and terminated in 2003, suggesting a 22-year active phase. High surface velocities, reaching -2300 m a(-1) in 1991, were accompanied by a maximum terminus advance of >7 km and a large transfer of mass down-glacier, causing significant median trunk-wide surface elevation changes attaining >3 +/- 1 m a(-1). We suggest that the retreat from a pinning point, flotation of the terminus, the removal of sea-ice from the ice front, and an increase in subglacial meltwater availability from relatively high air temperatures in 1981 likely contributed to surge initiation. The ensuing quiescent period has seen a continual decrease in surface flow rates to an average centreline velocity of 11.5 m a(-1) in 2020-21, a gradual steepening of the glacier surface and a > 2.5 km terminus retreat.
KW - Arctic glaciology
KW - glacier flow
KW - glacier surges
KW - ice dynamics
KW - remote sensing
KW - GOOD-FRIDAY GLACIER
KW - TIDEWATER GLACIER
KW - WHITE GLACIER
KW - ICE DISCHARGE
KW - MASS-BALANCE
KW - SVALBARD
KW - ADVANCE
KW - NUNAVUT
KW - VELOCITIES
KW - EVOLUTION
U2 - 10.1017/jog.2023.20
DO - 10.1017/jog.2023.20
M3 - Journal article
VL - 69
SP - 1333
EP - 1350
JO - Journal of Glaciology
JF - Journal of Glaciology
SN - 0022-1430
ER -
ID: 346413060