Smältperioder

Smältperioder refers to periods of melting and refreezing within glaciers and ice sheets. These events are crucial in understanding ice dynamics and their impact on sea level rise. During a smältperiod, surface ice melts due to rising temperatures, forming meltwater. This water can pool on the surface in supraglacial lakes or flow through crevasses and moulins to the glacier bed.

The fate of this meltwater significantly influences ice flow. If meltwater lubricates the glacier bed, it can accelerate the glacier's movement towards the sea, a process known as basal sliding. Conversely, in some cases, meltwater can refreeze within the ice, forming ice lenses or plugs that can impede flow. The duration and intensity of smältperioder are directly linked to atmospheric temperatures and solar radiation.

Climate change is leading to more frequent and prolonged smältperioder, particularly in warmer regions and at lower elevations. This increased melting contributes to overall ice loss from glaciers and ice sheets. Scientists monitor smältperioder using satellite imagery, ground-based sensors, and climate models to predict future ice loss and its contribution to global sea level rise. Understanding these melting and refreezing cycles is therefore essential for climate change projections and coastal management.