Mass balance for glaciers near Ny-Ålesund

The mass balance of a glacier is the difference between accumulation in winter and ablation in summer, and is thus a measure of whether the glacier as a whole is increasing or shrinking. It is interesting to monitor mass balance because melting of glaciers can contribute to sea-level rise. Glaciers also influence the local climate and the conditions for fauna and flora in Svalbard. The mass balance is primarily dependent upon the precipitation in winter and the temperature in summer. The height above the sea is also important. The monitoring of the mass balance of four glaciers and glacier complexes is reported here: Austre Brøggerbreen (since 1967), Midtre Lovénbreen (since 1968), Kongsvegen (since 1987) and Kronebreen/Holtedalsfonna (since 2002). All these glaciers are located near Ny-Ålesund on Vest-Spitsbergen. More information on the monitoring is found at http://www.mosj.no/en/climate/land/mass-balance-glaciers.html?