Support the Arctic Sea Ice Forum and Blog

Author Topic: Svalbard will eventually have a new large island.  (Read 1065 times)

Espen

  • Young ice
  • Posts: 3707
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 420
  • Likes Given: 4
Svalbard will eventually have a new large island.
« on: October 08, 2023, 11:44:26 AM »
Did you know that eventually Svalbard will have a new large island 1260 km2 before the end of this century?
It will be 60 % larger than New York City and 70 % larger than Singapore.
The island is now named Sørkapp Land and is divided from Torell Land in the north by 2 glaciers Hornbreen and Hambergbreen, both of these 2 glaciers are retreating at relatively high speed some reports estimate their calvingfronts will meet in 40 – 50 years but I believe 30 years max will do the job.

The 2 animations below show the retreat in different periods. The first is from 1978 and 2023 included the calving fronts in 1936 (red line). The second animation show the retreat during the Sentinel 2 age.

Both animations speak for themselves.

Please click on images to animate and enlarge!
Have a ice day!

kassy

  • First-year ice
  • Posts: 8235
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 2042
  • Likes Given: 1986
Re: Svalbard will eventually have a new large island.
« Reply #1 on: October 08, 2023, 11:45:14 PM »
So that is the most southern point of Spitsbergen?
Þetta minnismerki er til vitnis um að við vitum hvað er að gerast og hvað þarf að gera. Aðeins þú veist hvort við gerðum eitthvað.

Tealight

  • Frazil ice
  • Posts: 490
    • View Profile
    • CryosphereComputing
  • Liked: 176
  • Likes Given: 17
Re: Svalbard will eventually have a new large island.
« Reply #2 on: October 09, 2023, 03:53:40 AM »
I did also look at this glacier, but my estimate is just 17-22 years. This is based on Sentinel 2 data July 2016 to July 2023. It might even be sooner because a storm could take out a narrow remaining ice bridge.

Espen

  • Young ice
  • Posts: 3707
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 420
  • Likes Given: 4
Re: Svalbard will eventually have a new large island.
« Reply #3 on: October 09, 2023, 04:48:24 PM »
So that is the most southern point of Spitsbergen?

Yes, although there is a small island Sørkappøya (7 km2) south of Sørkapp Land.
Have a ice day!

Espen

  • Young ice
  • Posts: 3707
    • View Profile
  • Liked: 420
  • Likes Given: 4
Re: Svalbard will eventually have a new large island.
« Reply #4 on: October 09, 2023, 04:55:17 PM »
I did also look at this glacier, but my estimate is just 17-22 years. This is based on Sentinel 2 data July 2016 to July 2023. It might even be sooner because a storm could take out a narrow remaining ice bridge.

It depends on the bedrock, I have a feeling the bedrock below sea level is very narrow, but realistically it could be anything between 15 and 30 years?
« Last Edit: October 09, 2023, 05:09:58 PM by Espen »
Have a ice day!