This year's front position measurements

The annual front position measurements show that both Haugabreen and Vetle Supphellebreen have retreated further. In addition, a new series of measurements has been set up to monitor Marabreen.

Norwegian Glacier Museum & Ulltveit-Moe climate centre carries out fieldwork every autumn, investigating the frontal position of a number of glaciers in the local area. The measurements are taken from so-called fixed marks, i.e. from the same location year after year and with a fixed compass course. This can be from a large block, a cairn or a mark in solid rock. The results of the measurements are sent to the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), which monitors a number of glaciers around the country.

Haugabreen in Jølster, Sunnfjord municipality. A glacier arm of Myklebustbreen (Photo: Pål Hage Kielland 2024).

Haugabreen retreated 26 meters since the measurements in 2023. This is the largest retreat in a single year since we started front position measurements on this glacier in 2013. In total, Haugabreen has retreated 161 meters in 11 years, which can be clearly seen in the increasing amount of rock and debris visible in front and on the sides of the glacier. The glacier front is just over 900 meters above sea level.

Vetle Supphellebreen in Fjærland, Sogndal municipality. Fjærlandsfjorden can be seen to the left of the image (Photo: Pål Hage Kielland 2024).

Vetle Supphellebreen is located in Fjærland, more precisely at the very heart of Supphelledalen. The front is about 800 meters above sea level. This glacier has shrunk by 12 meters over the past year and has melted a total of 117 meters since 2011.

Image from the front of Marabreen (Photo: Pål Hage Kielland 2024).