Surge-type glaciers in Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland): distribution, temporal patterns and climatic controls

We present the first systematic inventory of surge-type glaciers for the whole of Greenland compiled from published datasets and multitemporal satellite images and digital elevation models. The inventory allows us to define the spatial and climatic distribution of surge-type glaciers and to analyse the timing of surges from 1985 to 2019. We identified 274 surge-type glaciers, an increase of 37% compared to previous work. Mapping surge-type glacier distribution by temperature and precipitation variables derived from ERA5-Land reanalysis data shows that the west and east clusters occur in well-defined climatic envelopes. Analysis of the timing of surge active phases during the periods similar to 1985 to 2000 (T1) and similar to 2000 to 2019 (T2) suggests that overall surge activity is similar in T1 and T2, but there appears to be a reduction in surging in the west cluster in T2. Our climate analysis shows a coincident increase in mean annual and mean winter air temperature between T1 and T2. We suggest that as glaciers thin under current warming, some surge-type glaciers in the west cluster may be being prevented from surging due to (1) their inability to build-up sufficient mass and (2) a switch from a polythermal to a largely cold-based thermal regime.

Automated summary

This study presents the first systematic inventory of surge-type glaciers in Greenland, analyzing their spatial distribution and surge timing from 1985 to 2019. The results show that surge-type glaciers in Greenland are influenced by well-defined climatic envelopes in the west and east clusters. Additionally, it suggests that the surge activity of glaciers in the west cluster may be reduced due to their thinning and shift from polythermal to cold-based thermal regime.