Temperature and rainfall control of outflow from the Scott Glacier catchment (Svalbard) in the summers of 2005 and 2006

Abstract

The article examines characteristics of meteorological and runoff time-series collected from the Scott Glacier catchment, Svalbard, during 2005 and 2006. The river discharge of Scottelva (Scott River) was monitored at a gauging station situated near the mouth of Recherche Fjord. Meteorological time-series (i.e. air temperature and precipitation) were monitored in Calypsobyen. The analysis shows interrelationships between meteorological and hydrological time-series, and that the runoff of Scottelva depends on the amount and intensity of glacial ablation. Total ablation for the Scott Glacier was estimated at 63.9 cm water equivalent in the 2005 season and 98.2 cm water equivalent in the 2006 season. A total of 64% and 72% of the discharge from the Scottelva in the respective 2005 and 2006 seasons came from surface ablation of the glacier.

Keywords:

• ablation
• glacial catchment
• outflow
• Svalbard

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements – The study was financed by the National Committee for Scientific Research, grant no. PBZ-KBN-108/P04/2004.