NVE's 2023 glacier measurements show that 33 of the 36 glacier fronts measured had melted, and all 10 glaciers for which mass balance measurements were taken were in mass deficit.
The biggest declines this year were recorded in Bondhusbrea on the western side of Folgefonna (-92 m), Bøverbrean in Jotunheimen (-82 m) and Engabreen in Nordland (-78 m). This year, 36 glaciers have melted by an average of 27 meters.
In the south There were big differences in Norway this winter in the amount of snow on glaciers. On many glaciers in the west Norway suffered less snow than usual, while glaciers further east received more snow than usual. But glacial melt has been very high throughout the summer on all glaciers in southern Norway. The result for 2023 was therefore an underestimate for all measured glaciers, and probably also for all glaciers in southern Norway.
In northern Norway, most glaciers received their normal amount of snow. However, glacial melt was well above normal throughout the summer, so the 2023 figure was likely an underestimate for the vast majority of glaciers.
Negative mass balance for an extended period of time
– All glaciers where we measure mass balance have had a negative mass balance since 2000, says NVE glaciologist Hallgeir Elvehøy.
Since 2000, glaciers in Norway have decreased significantly in length, area and thickness. Over the past 20 years, 28 glaciers, measured continuously, have retreated an average of 391 meters.
– The reason for the retreat of glacier fronts is that over time, more snow and ice melts in summer than falls in winter. We say that the mass balance was negative. Since 2000, the thickness of the ten glaciers where NVE measures mass balance has decreased to 30 meters, explains Hallgeir Elvehøy.
The glaciers in Norway have the same development as the vast majority of glaciers in the rest of the world.
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Source: NVE
Photo: Wojtek Sobieski/Foglefonna nasjonalpark, Buerbreen glacier in the commune of Ullensvang
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