The size and frequency of icebergs and bergy bits derived from tidewater glaciers in Kongsfjorden, northwest Spitsbergen

[摘要] Tidewater glaciers constitute over 1000 or 20% of the coast of Svalbard. The dimensions and frequency of the occurrence of icebergs and bergy bits produced from these tidewater glaciers in Kongsfjorden, northwest Spitsbcrgcn, were measured during the summers of 1991 and 1992. In 1991, 35-40% of 275 observed icebergs and bergy bits were <0.5 m wide, and <10% exceeded 5 min width. 70-80% of the freeboard measurements were <0.5 m and only 10-15% were > 1 m in height. The largest observed freeboard was 6 m. In 1992, small icebergs were significantly less common. 50% of the observed icebergs were > 10 m in width and >2 min frecboard. This is interpreted to be the result of a major calving event prior to the 1992 observations. Side-scan sonar data on sea floor morphology showed frequent scouring by iceberg keels to a depth of 35 m, but no scouring below 40 m, thus defining the maximum iceberg keel depth and the depth to which sediment reworking by these keels occurs. Calculations of the melt rate of icebergs al...

[学科分类] 自然科学（综合）