The Nigardsbreen glacier in Jostedalen has retreated 81 meters in the past year, making it more risky to travel around the scenic tourist destination, according to the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE).
“Where there are major changes, it is unsafe. Where it is safe to go early in the year, it can be more exposed towards the end of the year,” said NVE’s glaciologist Hallgeir Elvehøy to NRK.
In the last ten years, Nigardsbreen has retreated 504 meters.
Besides the Nigardsbreen glacier, the greatest decline is 82 metres at Gråfjellsbrea, Folgefonna. The Engabreen glacier at Svartisen has retreated 61 meters.
“The only bright spot we see this year is Engabreen, which has a mass surplus after last year’s snowfall. Otherwise the others have deficits,” says Elvehøy.
Glaciers studied have not shown signs of growing.
© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
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