Results from the glacier measurements in 2020
Norwegian Glacier Museum & Ulltveit-Moe Center Climate Centre in Fjærland annually measures the front positions changes on some local glaciers.
As part of a network of other glacier enthusiasts, we help NVE (Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate) to monitor several glaciers. Front position changes are measured on 30 to 40 glaciers around the country.
The glaciers that Norwegian Glacier Museum are responsible for 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 in 2020. The images show how more mountains appear around the glacier, especially the area marked with rough rings in each image. In addition, a small lake is emerging in front of the front.
In the fall of 2020, NVE reported that there was a positive mass balance on several glaciers. The concept of 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 a set of accounts, with income and expenses. The year 2020 was therefore a good year for the glaciers' accounts. This means that there was a lot of snow during the accumulation season, which usually lasts from November to April. In 2020, the temperatures during the melting season, which typically lasts from May to October, failed to consume enough snow and ice on many of the glaciers to create a deficit.
If we look at the changes to the glaciers over time, the decline of the front positions shows that there is not enough snow to cover the deficit. This is the long-term trend for Norwegian glaciers in the 2000s.
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.