Cofanie się czół lodowych Zachodniego i Wschodniego Lodowca Torella (SW Spitsbergen)

When documentary work was carried out on the Vestre and Austre Torellbreen, an extremely strong recession of ice cliffs of both glaciers was observed. In order to obtain more detailed picture of the observed retreat over the period 2001, 2002 and 2003, GPS measures of the ice cliffs location and the location of glacier fronts were taken. Then the obtained results were compared to previous maps (Fig. 1). The ice cliff of the AustreTorellreen retreated by 3190m from the year 1936 till 2003. The fastest recession of this ice cliff was noted over the last three years; the average rate of the retreat reached 166m/year. The ice cliff of the Vestre Torellreen retreated by 3163m from the year 1936. The maximum speed of the recession of this cliff was also noted in the last three years and reached 68m/year. The sides of both glaciers which are located on the shore tend to have lower rate of recession, i.e. 40-50m/year. The retreat of glaciers is mainly attributed to the observed global warming but in the case of the Vestre and Austre Torellbreen which empty for the sea, it is the increase in sea surface temperature that plays the main role. The annual temperature of the coastal waters between Bellsund and Hornsund, that is in waters adjacent to both glaciers increased by 2°C over the period from 1996 and 2002. Such significant warming in the sea water together with the prolonged period without sea ice cover result in advanced undercutting of ice cliffs by waves and an increased role of calving in the negative mass balance of glaciers. The retreat of the ice cliff of the Vestre Torellbreen, which is partially sheltered against waves by a recently formed spur, has a rate half lower.