Glacier-front variations of outlet glaciers from Jostedalsbreen and climate in the Jostedalsbre region of western Norway in the period 1901-80

Abstract

This paper presents a comparison of glacier-front variations for three outlet valley glaciers from Jostedalsbreen with the climate at adjacent meteorological stations in the 1901-80 period. From 1901 to 1930 the front of the valley glaciers remained in approximately the same position. Warm summers in the 1930s and 1940s and low winter precipitation in the 1930s, however, caused an extensive retreat of the glaciers from the mid 1930s. Fåbergstølsbreen and Stegaholbrccn reached their maximum retreat c. 20 years later than Brigsdalsbreen. Since the 1950s the front of Brigsdalsbreen has experienced a net advance as a response to a general increase in winter precipitation, except the years around 1960, and an average 0.7°C decrease in summer temperature. The response time of Brigsdalsbreen is 2-3 years, while the average response time of Fåbergstølsbreen and Stegaholbreen is calculated to c. 24 years.