Glacierkarst phenomena in Spitsbergen |
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| Abstract: | Glacierkarst is a common phenomenon on Spitsbergen. The Spitsbergen glaciers circulate large amounts of liquid water, even during the polar winter. Investigations have revealed two types of drainage systems: marginal drainage canals and central drainage canals. Marginal drainage canals are located within the medial moraines or between the glacier margin and the unglaciated valley slope. Lengths up to 1 km and diameters of 10 m are known. The marginal drainage canals are often founded on solid bedrock. The central drainage systems are less well understood, but are located within the glacier mass, founded on ice. The two types of drainage canal systems contain many features associated with classic calcareous karst, such as phreatic tubes, vadose canyons, dripstones (in ice), multilevel development and integrated drainage. Surface analogs such as dry valleys, uvalas, ponors and poljes also exist. Conduits are found as much as 40 m below the ice surface. |
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