Results from glacier measurements in 2020
The Norwegian Glacier Museum & Ulltveit-Moe Center for Climate Science in Fjærland annually measures front changes on some local glaciers.
As part of a network with other glacier enthusiasts, we help NVE (Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate) monitor several glaciers. Front changes are measured on 30 to 40 glaciers around the country.
The glaciers for which the Norwegian Glacier Museum is responsible are Vetle Supphellebreen in Fjærland and Haugabreen in Jølster. The front of Vetle Supphellebreen decreased by 6 meters compared to the previous year and has melted a total of 30 meters since 2011. At Haugabreen, the front retreated 8 meters, which means a melting of 84 meters since 2013.
Haugabreen glacier in 2015 and 2020. The images show how more mountains are emerging around the glacier, especially the area marked with red circles in each image. In addition, a small lake is emerging in front of the glacier.
In the fall of 2020, NVE reported that there was a positive mass balance on several glaciers. The term mass balance says something about how much snow the glacier receives each year, versus how much ice and snow melts away. This can be compared to an accounting system, where you have income and expenses. The year 2020 was therefore a good year for the glaciers' accounts. This means that a lot of snow fell during the accumulation season, which usually lasts from November to April. The temperatures during the melting season, which typically lasts from May to October, in 2020 were unable to sufficiently consume the snow and ice on many of the glaciers to create a deficit.
If we look at the changes in glaciers over time, the retreat of the fronts shows that there is not enough snow to cover the deficit. This is the long-term trend for Norwegian glaciers in the 21st century.
The development of the front position of five selected glacier arms from Jostedalsbreen in the period 1899 - 2020. Nigardsbreen in Jostedalen, for example, has retreated almost 3 kilometers in about 120 years.
Glaciers continue to retreat
The Norwegian Glacier Museum & Ulltveit-Moe Center for Climate Science in Fjærland annually measures front changes on some glaciers in the area.
The Haugabreen glacier in Jølster retreated 6 meters, while the Vetle Supphellebreen glacier decreased by 22 meters. The glacier tongues have also melted a lot along the sides and have become thinner overall in recent years. This can be clearly seen, for example, from images of the Haugabreen glacier in 2015 and 2019.
Haugabreen in 2015 on the left and in 2019 on the right.
It is a bit sad to continue to communicate about these glaciers that are retreating and decreasing in size year after year. The temperature during the melting season increases and the normally large amounts of snow in winter are not enough to compensate for the mass loss from the glaciers.
The glacial melt has consequences that are important to focus on. Glaciers provide us with a stable water supply for renewable power generation and for irrigation in agriculture, they are a tourist attraction, they are in themselves natural masterpieces that provide qualities for living in the countryside and they can give us a lot of information about past climates. In other places in the world, glaciers are important as water sources for both drinking water and agriculture, and with bad news for glaciers, this is bad news for the people who depend on them.
Perhaps many of nature's great wonders, most notably glaciers, will be drastically altered or even disappear within a few generations. We who can see and experience glaciers today are witnesses to changes that are large and, not least, rapid from a geological perspective. It is the speed of the changes that is so frightening, and it is global warming due to human-made emissions of greenhouse gases and large-scale land changes that are the drivers of these changes.
The Norwegian Glacier Museum previously also measured the Bøyabreen and Store Supphellebreen in Fjærland. These are now being photographed and there are clear changes that can be captured with a camera.
The Bøya glacier in 1997 and 2019.
It is clear that these two glaciers have been important icons for tourism for over 150 years in Fjærland. Tourists came from far and wide to see and experience the magical ice. The landscape itself with the fjord and mountains is fantastic and unparalleled, and with the glaciers it has a high international quality. But without the glaciers, an important natural element could be lost. This is something that affects us all, whether we are tourists or local residents. By that I mean that we all contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and land changes on the planet, through our lifestyle with a lot of travel and consumption. We who work at the Norwegian Glacier Museum and with this communication experience that many of our visitors are concerned with reducing emissions and living more sustainably. How many climate summits in the UN will it take to actually reverse the trend, and is this possible?
Report from the glacier measurements in 2017
Vetle Supphellebreen is bucking the trend and advancing in 2017, while Haugabreen is retreating.
At the front of Vetle Supphellebreen in early November 2017. Photo: Pål Gran Kielland.
For us glacier enthusiasts, it is always good news when a glacier grows and advances. Vetle Supphellebreen advanced for the third year in a row, by almost 2 meters in 2017. We started with front position measurements of the glacier in 2011 and the glacier showed retreat in the first few years. During the measurement period, the glacier has advanced a total of 4 meters, or in other words, remained stable. An excess of snow during the measurement period may explain the development of Vetle Supphellebreen. If we look at the Meteorological Institute's weather and climate data, the measuring station at the Norwegian Glacier Museum has registered precipitation amounts above normal in the period 2011-2017. Large amounts of snow may be part of the explanation for the glacier's advance in recent years. Together with factors such as temperature, latitude, altitude, terrain (steepness and solar radiation) and proximity to the sea (maritime), precipitation is part of a complex interaction that leads to the formation and change of glaciers. It is especially the relationship between winter precipitation and summer temperature that controls the glacier's balance from year to year.
Haugabreen glacier after fresh snowfall in November 2017. Photo: Pål Gran Kielland.
Haugabreen set a personal negative record when it retreated 18 meters in 2017. Since we started measurements on this glacier, it has decreased by a total of 53 meters. There is also an increase in precipitation here when we look at weather data from nearby measurement stations, but the precipitation has clearly not been enough to slow down the melting. In addition, it must be remembered that the glacier's reaction time to changes in climate is delayed. Since glaciers are mainly controlled by winter precipitation and summer temperature, changes in these climate parameters will be reflected by the glacier. Light snow and/or low temperatures cause the glaciers to grow, while little snow and/or high temperatures cause the glaciers to melt.
The front changes show how the length of the glacier changes from year to year, and are a picture of how the glacier volume changes over time. The changes that can be seen on a glacier front are a delayed reaction to changes in mass balance. The reaction time of the glaciers depends, among other things, on length, steepness and friction against the ground. Around Jostedalsbreen, the reaction time of the outlets varies largely between 3 and 30 years.
Otherwise, see the NVE website for more information about our glaciers.
The blue ice is looking forward
The glacier hiking season starts a little later in Fjærland than on more popular and easily accessible glaciers around the world. Supphellebreen, or Flatbreen as it is also called, is now starting to become ready for those who want a glacier hike in a class of its own and well away from overcrowded tourist attractions.
Supphellebreen (Flatbreen) June 29, 2016. Photo: Pål Gran Kielland, Norwegian Glacier Museum.
Imagine getting up to this majestic glacier arm that juts out of the ice cap of Jostedalsbreen. It starts with a slightly demanding but at the same time fantastic hike on a good trail up from Rødseter in Supphelledalen at 50 meters above sea level, and up to the glacier front at about 1000 meters above sea level. On the glacier it is possible to get down into scary cracks in the ice, climb steep ice walls and step over breathtaking snow bridges. This may seem scary and challenging, but with local and experienced glacier guides this becomes a surefire experience. An exclusive extra offer is to cross this colossal mass of ice to climb one of the surrounding nunataks that tower up from the ice. From these peaks you can experience a fusion of glacier, mountains and fjords in a wild landscape that seems to be far away from civilization. But at the same time, you can look down into the Fjærlandsfjord and see how the glacial village of Fjærland is nestled right next to the calm Fjærlandsfjord.
Glaciers, mountains, fjords - and people! Photo: Gaute D. Bøyum August 2013.
How to get here, you may be wondering? And what about food and accommodation? The answer is simple. Down in Supphelledalen is Rødseter Inn , an old farm that has been partially converted into a guesthouse, hotel or as they call it themselves 'a small boutique hotel'. Here they offer activities on the mountains and glaciers according to your wishes, for example the kind of hike - glacier-mountain-fjord - to Myrhaugsnipa 1443 meters above sea level. An alternative for guided tours in Fjærland is also available from Mountaingoat Guiding .
In addition, you can take a leisurely walk in the village, kayak on the Fjærlandsfjord, have lunch at one of the hotels in Mundal, cycle, browse books in Bokbyen or make the obligatory visit to us - the Norwegian Glacier Museum.
Spectacular luxury - you will find it in Fjærland.
Season opening with new design April 1st
This winter we have renewed the entire exhibition in the museum. Among other things, with a new interactive exhibition about global warming!
From April 1st you can experience the Norwegian Glacier Museum in a new look. Opening hours are 10:00 - 16:00.
We have already kicked off the season at Easter with visits from groups, events at Fjærland Sogelag and open to all on Easter Sunday.
The snow is still on the ground around the museum, which means that the educational playground is not yet fully ready for use. But with the renovated and upgraded main exhibition, with a new design and refreshed colors, as well as the film about Jostedalsbreen by Ivo Caprino and the fantastic climate exhibition, we are ready for an exciting and educational visit.
Welcome to the Norwegian Glacier Museum season 2016!
PS: this year we celebrate our 25th anniversary.