Hei hei! We have had a very busy week researching and exploring new landscapes and glaciers outside of Longyearbyen.
Last week we travelled to the marine terminating glacier Tunabreen, along with Associate Professor Chris Borstad of UNIS to investigate crevasse formation 2km back from the calving front. Along with Chris's research, James also collected data on the presence of Moulin's on the glacier using photogrammetry techniques. We were treated to amazing views of the calving front with iceberg calving activity taking place. We spotted puffins and minke whales on the journeys to and from the glacier via boat!
Tunabreen calving front, from the shoreline.
By now we are into a well developed daily routine of walking up onto Longyearbreen. Progress is being made here by Kirstie and Rebecca, whose ablation stakes are showing increased amount of melt on the glacier as the week has progressed. Ablation at the debris covered stake below has shown 45cm of surface elevation decrease over the first week.
On the surface of the Longyear glacier, hydrological processes are also being investigated for Emily's project, through mapping and the measurement of three apparent surface streams. These show continued dynamic fluctuation as they navigate down the glacier, posing interesting questions to their formation as well as continued evolution over the summer melt period.
Supraglacial channels on the Longyear glacier, as photographed by the DGI phantom 3 drone.
Yesterday we hiked to Bolterdalen for Hannah and Jack's projects. GPS points were taken to show the location and changes in elevation over the moraines in front of Rieperbreen, an outlet glacier. By investigating the shape and location of the moraines, the past extent of Rieperbreen can be estimated and this is the main aim of Hannah's research.
We will be returning to Bolterdalen to continue Jack's research on Scott Turnerbreen in the coming week!