Introduction

The behaviour of Greenland’s surge-type glaciers is inadequately documented, and quantitative surge data are particularly sparse for this region (e.g. Reference Reeh, Boggild and OerterReeh and others, 1994; Reference Joughin, Tulaczyk, Fahnestock and KwokJoughin and others, 1996; Reference Mohr, Reeh and MadsenMohr and others, 1998). In central East Greenland, at least 26 glaciers show morphological evidence of surge behaviour, yet only four surges have been observed (Reference WeidickWeidick, 1988). Glaciological studies in this region are lacking, and few ground-based observations are available (e.g. Reference Olesen and ReehOlesen and Reeh, 1969, Reference Olesen and Reeh1973; Reference BrooksBrooks, 1979; Reference WeidickWeidick, 1988). The study of glacier surging is important to an understanding of fast glacial flow and flow instabilities, and for the prediction of catastrophic calving events and outburst floods. In this paper we present the surge history and behaviour of the Sortebræ complex between 1933 and 1996 as reconstructed from a variety of remotely sensed data, including aerial photographs, small-frame airborne photographs and a number of Landsat and European Remote-sensing Satellite synthetic aperture radar (ERS SAR) images. Quantitative observations of vertical displacement and redistribution of ice volume during the most recent surge (1992–95) were made using multi-model photogrammetric analysis of aerial photographs from 1981 and small-frame airborne photographs from 1994 and 1995. The aims of these photogrammetric measurements and observations are to:

1. 1. quantify vertical and horizontal movements that take place during the surge;

2. 2. quantify the redistribution and changes in ice volume resulting from the surge;

3. 3. quantify the ice calving in excess of the quiescent rate and estimate calving fluxes associated with the surge;

4. 4. identify changes in surface features and crevassing associated with the surge;

5. 5. identify changes in the glacier hypsometry resulting from the surge.

With these data on Sortebræ’s surge we contribute quantitative information on surges in Greenland and additionally provide information on specific discharge properties of surging tidewater glaciers. The analysis in this paper predates that in a companion paper (Murray and others, in press) concerning the ice dynamics during the 1990s surge of Sortebræ using intensity tracking, interferometry and visual interpretation of ERS SAR images.

Location and Environmental Setting of Sortebræ

Sortebræ (68°45′ N, 27°05′ W) is a surge-type tidewater glacier complex in central East Greenland draining from the Geikie Plateau into a Blosseville Kyst fjord between Kap Savary and Kap Daussy (Fig. 1). Sortebræ consists of two confluent valley glaciers: Sortebræ and Sortebræ West (the names used to describe the different flow units of Sortebræ in this paper are unofficial). Sortebræ is the main branch and has a compound accumulation area, draining southwards from the plateau (2650 m a.s.l.) through two narrow valleys (Upper and Lower Loop Basin). From the northwest, Sorte- bræ is fed through a number of cirque-like accumulation basins with maximum elevations of 2000 m a.s.l. Several tributaries join Sortebræ’s south-southeast-flowing trunk. The delineation of Sortebræ’s drainage-basin boundary on the plateau proves problematic. Aerial photographs and satellite images suggest that approximately 400 km of Sortebræ’s total area of 850 km is located on the plateau. This area excludes Sortebræ West (∼250 km²) and Bulging Tributary East (E) and West (W) (∼60 km²), as these are inferred to have separate flow regimes. A.-M. Nuttall (personal communication, 1997) estimated the area of the entire Sortebræ complex as 855 km² using Landsat images. The difference between these area estimates arises from a discrepancy in the delineation of the drainage-basin boundary on the Geikie Plateau.

Fig. 1.

Location map of the Sortebræ complex, based on the available 1:100 000 topographic maps of the pre-surge geometry (GEUS, 1996).

Sortebræ’s overall pre-surge length was ∼65 km (1981) and its calving front was 4 km wide. At about 18 km inland from Kap Savary, Sortebræ West is confluent with Sortebræ at an almost perpendicular angle. Other glaciers in the Blosseville Kyst region vary from small cirque glaciers to large transection and valley glaciers. All outlet glaciers draining from the Geikie Plateau are deeply incised into the Tertiary plateau basalts (Reference Pedersen, Watt, Watt and LarsenPedersen and others, 1997). The quantity of supraglacial moraine material on Sortebræ and surrounding glaciers suggests that substantial subaerial erosion and weathering of the geological outcrops takes place (Reference BrooksBrooks, 1979).

Surge History of the Sortebræ Complex

The earliest available images of Sortebræ, 1933 aerial photographs (Reference Gabel-JørgensenGabel-Jørgensen, 1940), cover the lower and middle basins of the glacier. These show a relatively inactive glacier with few surface crevasses and a number of elongated moraine loops in the middle basin. Sortebræ West protruded with a large moraine loop into Sortebræ (Fig. 2). The glacier complex terminated about 1 km inland from Kap Daussy. The character of the elongated moraines indicates that Sortebræ is surge-type and surged some time before 1933.

Fig. 2.

The configuration of surface markers (moraines and crevasses) in the lower regions of Sortebre and Sortebre West in 1933, 1943, 1950, 1981 and 1994/95. Circles indicate surface pitting The larger area covered in 1950 is due to better aerial photograph coverage. Base map topography is from the 1:100 000 topographic maps (© GEUS, 1996) with 100 m contour interval.

Vertical and oblique aerial photographs from August 1943 show a smooth, partly snow-covered upper basin of Sortebræ and occasional pitting (cf. Reference SturmSturm, 1987), which is characteristic of Greenland surge-type glaciers in quiescence (Reference WeidickWeidick, 1988). All major tributaries formed protruding moraine loops onto the trunk of Sortebræ. Most medial and lateral moraines stood as prominent ridges above the glacier surface, indicating depletion. In contrast, Sortebræ West was completely crevassed. Whereas Sortebræ’s calving front retreated approximately 1.5 km overall between 1933 and 1943, Sortebræ West advanced approximately 10 km into the fjord, obstructing the lower 9 km of Sortebræ and occupying the southern 4.5 km (∼90%) of the calving cliff. There are two possible explanations for the behaviour of Sortebræ West: the glacier is (1) a fast-flowing glacier or (2) of surge type. If Sortebræ West were of surge type, its surges would alternate with those of Sortebræ, and its velocity would be variable. Some difference in velocity can be observed between the period 1933–43 and the 1990s; in the former period it is in the order of 1 km a⁻¹, and in the latter it is only up to 0.35 km⁻¹ a halfway up the glacier, decreasing to almost zero at the confluence with Sortebræ (personal communication from H. Pritchard, 2000; from January 1996 SAR interferometry). However, it is more likely that Sortebræ West is a fast-flowing glacier, occasionally blocked by the surges of Sortebræ. Findings on this glacier are, however, inconclusive due to the timing of the available data.

By 1950, a dramatic change had taken place in Sortebrae, as the glacier showed extensive crevassing from the loop basins to the terminus. The same reach also showed active marginal shear zones and turbid lakes on the vertical and oblique aerial photographs taken in August 1950. Medial moraines were displaced dramatically, and moraine loops showed typical tear-shaped elongation. Sortebræ’s irregular terminus had advanced to the mouth of the fjord and was actively calving. This evidence suggests that a surge took place just prior to August 1950. Bulging Tributary E also showed widespread crevassing, while strandlines of old ice surface in its upper regions indicate a drop in ice surface in the order of ∼100 m. Secondary tributaries to this glacier showed extensional crevasse patterns typical for tributaries sheared off by a surging trunk. Bulging Tributary E protruded onto Sortebræ over a distance of about 2.5 km; its moraine loop was elongated downstream due to the trunk’s surge, and concertina folds indicate compression. Clearly, Bulging Tributary E also surged prior to 1950. This surge must have started before the surge of Sortebræ’s trunk, as there was no evidence for Bulging Tributary E having been sheared off.

Between 1950 and 1981 Sortebræ retreated about 8 km (Fig. 2). Vertical aerial photographs of 1981 show Sortebræ’s flow unit occupying one-third of the calving front and producing turbid fjord waters. Sortebræ produced many small icebergs in comparison to the few larger ones calving from nearby glaciers. By 1981 Sortebræ West’s crevasses were closing, and locally formed pits. Likewise, Sortebræ was pitted in its upper reaches, and Bulging Tributary E appeared inactive and pitted.

The position and surface characteristics of Sortebræ did not change significantly between 1981 and 1992 (a Landsat image). However, the 1987 aerial photographs show Bulging Tributary W protruding with a loop into the trunk of Sortebræ, and a small tributary opposite Bulging Tributary W appeared crevassed. These two tributaries possibly surged some time between 1981 and 1987.

During August 1994 and July 1995, the Danish Lithosphere Centre (DLC) carried out two airborne stereo- photography expeditions to the Blosseville Kyst region between Kangerlussuaq and Scoresby Sund (66–70°N) (Reference Pedersen, Watt, Watt and LarsenPedersen and others, 1997). Strips of overlapping photographs of geological sections of the mountainsides were taken from a Twin-Otter plane, providing near-horizontal stereographic coverage of long sections of terrain. Photographed geological sections were preferentially oriented perpendicular to the coast along the major glaciers, and hence reveal the lateral parts of these glaciers. Sortebræ was observed to have very different surface characteristics from the surrounding glaciers (personal communication from L. M. Larsen, 1996). The glacier appeared completely crevassed and all moraine loops were elongated. A dramatic surface downdraw took place in the upper reaches of the glacier, and the glacier complex had advanced considerably (Fig. 2); Sortebræ therefore appears to have undergone a major surge between 1992 and 1995.

The above evidence shows that two major surges took place in the Sortebræ complex: one in the 1950s and one in the 1990s. The 1950s surge phase could have been of any length between 1 year or less (onset just prior to August 1950) and up to 7 years (onset just after the 1943 photos). From the1950 photos it is not clear whether the glacier is in late surge or early quiescence. We infer that the quiescent phase must have started well after 1943, but not long after 1950, and quiescence terminated in 1992 or 1993. Hence, Sortebræ has a quiescent period of 39–49 years, with the most likely value towards the lower end of this range. Estimates of the 1990s surge duration are more accurate due to the available ERS SAR imagery. Visual interpretation of SAR images shows that the last pre-surge image is from 30 September 1992, and the first surge image is from 20 October 1993, while SAR interferometry shows that the last surge image is from 27 May 1995 and the first post-surge image is from 8 September 1995 (Murray and others, in press). The estimated surge-phase duration is therefore 19–35 months. By 1994 the lower (pre-surge) 53 km (335 km²) of Sortebræ was affected by the surge. During the surge, Sorte- bræ advanced >5 km into the fjord, adding an area of approximately 26 km² to the glacier (Fig. 2). After this advance, the northern part of the calving margin retreated rapidly. Because of the excellent quality of the DLC 1994 and 1995 stereo-photographs, we quantified the effects of the surge using multi-model photogrammetry.

Multi-Model Photogrammetry

Multi-model photogrammetry enables precise three-dimensional measurements to be made from a series of oblique to semi-horizontal small-frame stereo-photographs, or diapositives, and conventional vertical aerial photographs. The technique was developed jointly by the Institute of Surveying and Photogrammetry (ISP), Technical University of Denmark, and the U.S. Geological Survey, Denver (Reference Pillmore, Dueholm, Jepsen and SchuchPillmore and others, 1981). The multi-model stereo restitution is accomplished through the simultaneous orientation of many photos in an analytical plotter by means of a block bundle adjustment, creating a coherent “multi-model block” (Reference DueholmDueholm, 1990). The operator then has the perception of one coherent stereoscopic model while moving between different types of photos of the terrain (Reference DueholmDueholm, 1992). For this study, up to 40 small-frame photographs (20 stereo-images) and 4 aerial photographs were used per multi-model block, covering approximately 20–25 km of terrain. Several blocks were set up at the same time to obtain full coverage of Sortebræ. Measurements in the multi-models were made by positioning an illuminated floating mark, whose position in ground coordinates was continuously monitored.

Triangulation of the small-frame photos was accomplished through transfer of aerotriangulated control points from the 1981 vertical aerial photographs, which were obtained by the Danish Cadastral Survey (KMS). The minimum number of control points is one per stereo-model plus two additional ones for each multi-model block (Reference DueholmDueholm, 1992) . The stereo-photographs for this study were taken by one of the authors (A.K.P.) with three calibrated hand-held analogue cameras of the type Yashica FX-3 super 2000 with fixed lenses 28 or 35 mm Carl Zeiss Distagon. Errors due to image distortion and inner orientation are negligible. For calibration details see Reference DueholmDueholm (1992). An aircraft flying at a typical speed of 200 km h⁻¹ was used as an airborne platform (Reference LarsenLarsen and others, 1995), and an 80% photograph overlap was used (cf. Reference DueholmDueholm, 1992).

Measurement procedure and accuracy

For the multi-model photogrammetric analysis of Sortebræ we used a Kern DSR15 analytical plotter, with a possible 20 times magnification. A combination of vertical aerial photographs at scale 1:150 000 from 1981, and 1994/95 stereo small- frame near-horizontal aerial photographs at different scales were used. The majority of the stereo photographs are at scales 1:10 000 in the foreground, and the remainder are at scales up to approximately 1:40 000. Registration of the coordinates of the floating mark enabled us to compare subsequent coordinates and measure distances between them with high accuracy. The main measurable features were vertical distances between pre-surge strandlines of ice (approximately 1992) and the 1994/95 glacier surface. At other locations, elevation differences between the 1981 glacier surface and that of 1994/95 could be measured for the same x-y coordinates. A positive height difference indicates a thinning of the glacier, resulting from a volume loss in that part of the glacier. A negative height difference indicates thickening of the glacier surface, resulting from an increase in ice volume. In addition, the height and position of the calving margin were measured, as well as dimensions of surface features such as lakes and crevasses.

The measurement accuracy using the Kern DSR15 depends on (1) the photograph scale, (2) the quality of control points and triangulation, (3) the scale-limited error of the floating mark and (4) the operator error (Reference DueholmDueholm, 1992; Reference Dueholm and PedersenDueholm and Pedersen, 1992). The combined error in measurement points, distances and volume displacement was estimated using standard techniques (e.g. Reference SquiresSquires, 1976, p.36). The absolute vertical errors for a 10 times magnification at three different photoscales in the multi-model are listed in Table 1. (Note that these errors concern the relative height measurements and not the absolute elevation.) These errors were used for the point measurements in Table 2. Because each measurement of thinning or thickening (ΔH) is based on two independent measurements, the errors in ΔH are a combination of the errors in these two measurements (these were occasionally taken from photos at different scales).

Table 1.

Errors (in metres) determining the accuracy of vertical measurements with the DSR15 photogrammetric plotter for 10 times magnification

Table 2.

Multi-model photogrammetric measurements of surface downdraw and uplift (ΔH) and of volume gain and loss for specific zones (ΔV)

Vertical displacement (ΔH) was measured for 52 locations (Fig. 3a). Displacement of ice volume was measured by dividing the glacier into 35 zones (Fig. 3b) of different areas (A) and calculating average thinning or thickening (ΔH _A) for each zone by taking the average ΔH values of measured locations within that zone. Zones were outlined to contain between one and four measurements. Point and zone measurements are given in Table 2. Because of the orientation of a number of the smaller-scale photos, namely, those looking upstream in the upper basins, accurate measurements could only be taken for points in the foreground. These points were more drawn down than points in the background of the image, and therefore represent a maximum thinning for a zone. Furthermore, the glacier surface appeared wavy in certain locations after the surge (Fig. 6b, shown later). Two measurements just downstream of Bulging Tributary E were taken in the wave troughs and are therefore not representative of average thinning. Hence, in 6 of the 35 zones we introduced an ad hoc correction factor of 0.5 for 9 of the 52 point measurements. This correction resulted in the reduction of total volume loss from the reservoir zone by 10%.

Fig 3.

(a) Location map of 52 surface downdraw and uplift measurements. Dots are measurement points, and numbers correspond to those in Table 2 and Figure 6. A, B, C, D and X and dashed lines indicate approximate positions of the longitudinal transects of downdraw and uplift given in Figure 4. (b) Location map of zones of downdraw and uplift. Numbers correspond to zone numbers in Table 2.

Fig. 4.

Three transects of (a) pre-surge (solid line) and post-surge (dotted line) surface elevation, and (b) surface downdraw and uplift as a result of the surge. Locations of transects and A–D and Xare shown in Figure 3. All transects have in common section A-X, which is only plotted in full for the Lower Loop Basin transect. Bars in (b) indicate error margins in the measurement points.

Quantitative Observations of the 1990s Surge

Observed velocities

By tracking points on two surface moraines between subsequent aerial photographs, we derived estimates for Sortebræ’s velocities. The estimated quiescent velocity in the upper region for the period 1933–43 is 175 ± 50 m a⁻¹ and for 1981–87 is only 7.5 ± 2.5 m a⁻¹, while for the middle region it is 200 ± 50 and 75 ± 50 m a⁻¹, respectively. Surge velocities, measured from moraine-loop displacement and frontal advance in the period 1991–95, are estimated to be in the range 625–2500 m a⁻¹ in the upper region and 1700–10000 m a⁻¹ in the middle and lower regions of Sortebræ. The latter is a minimum estimate disregarding calving. These measurements imply a minimum 4-fold and a maximum 300-fold increase of flow velocity from quiescence to surge. Sortebræ’s quiescence velocities are in the range found for other (possibly surge-type) tidewater glaciers in East Greenland (e.g. Reference DwyerDwyer, 1995) but are five to ten times lower than those measured on tidewater outlets at the head of Nordvestfjord, Scoresby Sund (Reference Olesen and ReehOlesen and Reeh, 1969, Reference Olesen and Reeh1973). Murray and others (in press) give a detailed account of the spatial and temporal variability of Sortebræ’s surface motion using ERS SAR interferometric and tracking techniques.

The propagation velocity of the surge front is important for estimates of surge duration and for comparison of surge characteristics worldwide. By assuming volume conservation, we calculated the propagation velocity of a surge front, w, from:

(1)

where u ₂ is the horizontal surge velocity and h ₂ and h ₁ are the average post-surge and pre-surge thickness of the glacier, respectively (Reference Raymond, Jóhannesson, Pfeffer and SharpRaymond and others, 1987). There are no direct measurements of glacier thickness for Sortebræ. Therefore we assume an estimated centre-line ice thickness of approximately 1/4 to 1/8 times the cross-sectional glacier width (for a shape factor of 0.7–0.8: Reference PatersonPaterson, 1994). The surge-front propagation can then be calculated at locations where velocity estimates are taken and where surface uplifts are measured. For the zone starting at the confluence of Sortebræ and Sortebræ West the height difference between the surging part and the stagnant part was in the order of 53 ± 5 m. For a 4 km wide cross-section and a surge velocity of 2500 m a⁻¹ the surge-front propagation is estimated to be in the range 23 725–51100 m a⁻¹ for a pre-surge glacier thickness of 500 and 1000 m, respectively. It would thus take 1–2.5 years for the surge front to travel 53 km before reaching the terminus. A surge period of 19–36 months (from SAR imagery) is therefore a reasonable estimate. Note, however, that errors in these calculations are potentially very large due to the lack of glacier thickness measurements. Further, the surge could have nucleated down-glacier of the maximum elevation affected by the surge, and the surge front could have travelled both down- and up-glacier. If so, the surge front could have reached the glacier terminus in less then the estimated minimum of 1 year, and the glacier could have advanced rapidly after surge initiation.

Glacier hypsometry

Glacier hypsometry is the distribution of glacier area over elevation and is determined by valley shape, topographic relief and ice-volume distribution. Hypsometry is important for long-term glacier response through its link with mass-balance elevation distribution (Reference Furbish and AndrewsFurbish and Andrews, 1984). Research by Reference WilburWilbur (1988) suggests that once a glacier becomes “bottom-heavy”, surge behaviour is favoured. Furthermore, a glacier surge would not result in a significant change in hypsometry, unless the surge results in a disproportionately large change in ice-volume distribution (Reference WilburWilbur, 1988).

Sortebræ’s pre-surge hypsometry was measured from topographic maps at scale 1:100 000, which are based on 1981 aerial photographs. The post-surge hypsometry could be reconstructed from interpolating multi-model photogram- metric measurements. As with the calculation of zones in Table 2, errors in surface area for the hypsometric measurements are within 5%. Absolute elevation measurement accuracy is generally within 10 m, but between elevation ranges 700–1200 and 0–100 m a.s.l. it is up to 50 m. The general shape of the hypsometry curves is not affected by these errors.

The general shapes of the 1981 and 1994/95 hypsometric curves are similar (Fig. 5): the upper convex curve sections (2000 and 2650 ma.s.l.) resemble the “ice-cap” type, while below 2000 m the curves resemble the “alpine-valley” types (Reference WilburWilbur, 1988). Sortebræ’s hypsometry is “top-heavy”: the area/elevation distribution function is largest at 2400–2650 m a.s.l., whilst it is smallest at a lower elevation of 1800–2000 m a.s.l. This observation appears to contradict the suggestion that surge-type glaciers are commonly bottom-heavy Reference WilburWilbur, 1988). However, if higher-elevation bands (on the plateau) are disregarded, the hypsometry tends to be bottom-heavy. The error in the position of the drainagebasin boundaries on the plateau is potentially very large, and it is unknown how much of this ice actively contributes to the mass balance of Sortebræ.

Fig. 5.

Pre-surge and post-surge hypsometries of Sortebræ. A^* and Z^* are dimensionless units for area and elevation (Reference Furbish and AndrewsFurbish and Andrews, 1984). A^* is the cumulative area above a certain elevation. At the glacier terminus Z^* = 0 and at the head of the glacier Z^* = 1. On the right axis the elevation isgiven in metres above sea level in order to facilitate interpretation of the curves.

Even though considerable surge advance and ice transport took place, the surge of Sortebræ has clearly not affected its general hypsometry. This finding agrees with Wilbur’s hypothesis for surges of large glaciers (Reference WilburWilbur, 1988). However, the post-surge hypsometry is slightly more bottom- heavy than before the surge, which is to be expected from a surge advance of a glacier with a low average surface slope in the region of advance.

Surface features: crevasses, lakes and sediments

The crevasse-pattern distribution over a glacier basin can inform us where a surge initiated (the “nucleus”), how the surge front propagated and about the characteristics of the transverse velocity distribution (e.g. Reference Sharp, Lawson and AndersonSharp and others, 1988; Reference Hodgkins and DowdeswellHodgkins and Dowdeswell, 1994). Above the surge nucleus, forces are mainly extensional and crevassing is predominantly transverse. Below the surge front a combination of compression and extension takes place, causing both longitudinal and transverse crevasse types, often resulting in chaotic patterns (Reference LawsonLawson, 1996).

Observations on the 1994/95 crevasse distribution of Sortebræ are incomplete, as only the lateral zones of the glacier are covered: the region of the central flowline is only occasionally visible on the images. Crevasse types include transverse crevasses in the far upper basins and at the tributaries; concentric, transverse and longitudinal crevasses in the upper and middle basins; conjugate crevasses at the shear margins and at the boundaries between flow units in the middle and lower basins; and chaotic crevassing in the lower basin (Fig. 6). Crevasse patterns suggest that the surge initiated halfway down the Lower Loop Basin, migrating both up- and down-glacier.

Fig 6.

Photographs of the surge of Sortebræ in 1994/95 (© DLC). Numbers indicate approximate locations of measurements with the Kern DSR15 (Fig 3). Vertical arrows indicate height differences between the pre-surge surface (strandlines) and post-surge surface. (a) Marginal turbid lake of about 600 m × 200 m. (b) Waves and longitudinal crevasses in Lower Loop Basin. (c) Marginal shear zone. (d) Advanced calving margin of Sortebræ, looking up-glacier. Largest tabular iceberg is about 200 m across.

Crevasse width in the middle and lower basin is up to tens of metres, while the lower 15 km of Sortebræ is broken up into rifts tens of metres in height. These crevasse-pattern types are very similar to those observed during surges of large calving glaciers such as Bering Glacier, Alaska, U.S.A., and Osbornebreen and Bodleybreen, Svalbard (Reference Hodgkins and DowdeswellHodgkins and Dowdeswell, 1994; Reference MolniaMolnia, 1994; Reference Rolstad, Amlien, Hagen and LundenRolstad and others, 1997). However, in the lower half of the Lower Loop Basin, the post-surge surface appears wavy with a wavelength of about 2 km and an amplitude of about 25 m (Figs 4 and 6). The waves become more pronounced in a down-glacier direction. Dynamic waves with a similar frequency but double the amplitude were observed to travel down-glacier during the 1963 surge of Medvezhiy glacier, Pamir, central Asia (Reference Dolgushin, Yevteyev, Krenke, Rototayev and SvatkovDolgoushin and others, 1963), and have been explained as resulting from the passage of kinematic waves or a surge bulge. This could also be an explanation of the waves on Sortebræ.

Shearing occurred along the entire margin of the surge basin, leaving tributaries in the reservoir zone hanging and those in the receiving zone blocked. Sortebræ West and Bulging Tributary W were cut off by the surging trunk, with their surfaces about 50–70 m below that of Sortebræ (Fig. 6c). The combination of marginal shear zones and a relatively flat transverse cross-section suggests that the ice- velocity profile is that of block motion, which is common for surging glaciers (Reference KambKamb and others, 1985; Reference Reeh, Boggild and OerterReeh and others, 1994). At all shear zones large amounts of sediment emerged. In 1995, fine-grained dirt cones up to 3 m high were observed at the northern margin of Sortebræ, which we interpret as thrust planes.

The appearance of supraglacial lakes is a common phenomenon on surge-type glaciers, although they are mostly clear and sediment-free (e.g. Reference Lingle, Post, Herzfeld, Molnia, Krimmel and RoushLingle and others, 1993; Reference Reeh, Boggild and OerterReeh and others, 1994). Turbid shear-zone lakes are only reported for Bering Glacier, whilst turbid water was found in crevasses on Variegated Glacier, Alaska (Reference KambKamb and others, 1985; Reference MolniaMolnia, 1994). On Sortebræ, turbid lakes with a high suspended sediment content developed during the surge. These have rectangular shapes with maximum dimensions of approximately 200 m×600 m, with the longest axis in the direction of ice flow (Fig. 6a). The lakes mainly occur in the shear margins of the Loop Basins and in the shear zone between Sortebræ and Sortebræ West. The lakes are the first evidence of supraglacial water on Sortebræ: this water is likely to have been subglacially derived.

Implications of the Surges of the Sortebræ Complex

Interregional variations in surge behaviour, such as differences in surge period, surge velocity development and morphological adjustment, are particularly important in understanding flow dynamics. In order to comprehend the mechanisms of glacier surging, it is important to search for systematic differences in surge behaviour and attempt to relate these differences to, for example, environmental conditions and/or glacier morphology (e.g. Reference Dowdeswell, Hamilton and HagenDowdeswell and others, 1991). Differences in surge duration and velocity development are suggested to result from differences in glacier size, glacier type, thermal and substrate conditions and geographical location (Reference Meier and PostMeier and Post, 1969; Reference Dowdeswell, Hamilton and HagenDowdeswell and others, 1991, Reference Dowdeswell, Hodgkins, Nuttall, Hagen and Hamilton1995; Reference HewittHewitt, 1998; Reference Murray, Dowdeswell, Drewry and FrearsonMurray and others, 1998). Below, we systematically compare the surge of Sortebræ with other surges in Greenland as well as those in other regions. For this study a selection of sample data on active glacier surging worldwide was used (Table 3).

Table 3.

Surge characteristics of Sortebre and other surging glaciers

Sortebræ’s surge velocities are of the same order as those of some of the faster surge-type glaciers (Variegated, Medvezhiy and Bering glaciers; Table 3). Its velocity difference between quiescence and surge is of the same order as that for most tidewater glaciers. The estimated ice-volume redistribution from reservoir to receiving zone (18.6 km³) and the frontal advance (>5 km) of Sortebræ falls into the class of large-scale surges of other calving glaciers such as Storstrømmen, northeast Greenland, and Bering Glacier (Reference Reeh, Boggild and OerterReeh and others, 1994; Reference Sauber, Plafker and GipsonSauber and others, 1995). The surface downdraw, with maxima around 200 m, is large compared to most other observations, but Sortebræ is unlike other glaciers in that its average thinning exceeds its thickening. This anomaly could have been caused by (1) a rapid removal of ice volume through calving prior to 1995, (2) a thickening of Sortebræ below sea level that we were unable to detect, or (3) the 1981–95 thickening being a minimum estimate because of surface melt prior to 1995.

The 1990s surge of Sortebræ resulted in a calving volume of 11.7 km³ and a calving flux of 3.9–7.3 km³ a⁻¹. For comparison, non-surging outlet glaciers draining from the Inland Ice into the innermost part of Scoresby Sund have calving rates of 0.2–10 km³ a⁻¹ (calving-front lengths around 2–6 km), while in North Greenland calving rates are only in the order of 0.1–0.7 km³ a⁻¹ (Reference Olesen and ReehOlesen and Reeh, 1969, Reference Olesen and Reeh1973; Reference HigginsHiggins, 1991). Not only has Sortebræ’s calving rate increased during its surge, but the glacier also produces on average larger icebergs than during quiescence. This is in contrast to observations on Svalbard glaciers, where surges appear to reduce the size of icebergs (Reference DowdeswellDowdeswell, 1989). The calving flux calculated for Sortebræ might be indicative of that from other large surging tidewater glaciers in East Greenland (see Reference WeidickWeidick, 1988).

According to Reference Dowdeswell, Hamilton and HagenDowdeswell and others (1991, Reference Dowdeswell, Hodgkins, Nuttall, Hagen and Hamilton1995), Svalbard surge-type glaciers are unique for the long duration of their surges (3–10 years), the long quiescent phases (50–500 years) and the low surge velocities. These characteristics have been accredited to specific substrate and thermal conditions, mass balance and rate of downdraw (Reference Dowdeswell, Hamilton and HagenDowdeswell and others, 1991, Reference Dowdeswell, Hodgkins, Nuttall, Hagen and Hamilton1995; Reference Murray, Dowdeswell, Drewry and FrearsonMurray and others, 1998). Recently, Reference HewittHewitt (1998) recorded that Karakoram Himalayan surge-type glaciers also have surge and quiescent phases longer than the usual 2–3 years for surge and 20–30 years for quiescence (cf. Reference Meier and PostMeier and Post, 1969). Data on three glaciers in East Greenland suggest a surge duration of 5 to >10 years and quiescent-phase duration of 70–150 years (Reference RutishauserRutishauser, 1971; Reference Colvill and MillerColvill, 1984; Reference WeidickWeidick, 1988; Reference Reeh, Boggild and OerterReeh and others, 1994). These values imply that surges in East Greenland are intermediate between the fast short-period surges of glaciers in Alaska and the Pamir, and the slow long-period surges common for Svalbard. Conversely, Sortebræ falls into the category of short, fast surges, with its estimated surge duration of 19–36 months and its maximum surge velocity of the order of 10 km a⁻¹. The quiescent phase of Sortebræ (40–50 years) is not significantly different from that of Alaskan surge-type glaciers.Reference WeidickWeidick (1988) found that West Greenland seems characterized by short surges (1–2 years) and intermediate quiescent phases (30–50 years). However, there is much uncertainty associated with these data, as (1) the data were mainly based on air-photo interpretation of 11 surge-type glaciers in the Disco–Nuqssuaq area, (2) only four of these have multiple surges recorded, and (3) only one has two dated surge events (Reference WeidickWeidick, 1988).

Statistical analysis by Reference Dowdeswell, Hamilton and HagenDowdeswell and others (1991) indicated that glacier size is not significantly related to the duration of the active surge phase. However, thermal regime, in combination with substrate, seems to play an important role in surge propagation (Reference MurrayMurray and others, 2000) and termination (Smith and others, in press). The only measurements on the thermal regime of central East Greenland glaciers are from boreholes drilled in Schuchert Gletscher and from radio-echo sounding measurements on Roslin Gletscher, suggesting that both Stauninger Alps glaciers are polythermal (Reference KirchnerKirchner, 1963; Reference Davis, Halliday and MillerDavis and others, 1973). Other valley glaciers in the Stauninger Alps are described as subpolar (Reference Mercer and FieldMercer, 1975). Hence, it is plausible that Sortebræ and other large central East Greenland glaciers are polythermal. Unlike the surge-type glaciers in the Stauninger Alps, which overlie metamorphic bedrock, Sortebræ overlies basalts. These Tertiary basalts, similar in origin to those in the West Greenland surge cluster (Reference WeidickWeidick, 1988), are extrusive igneous rocks and produce fine-grained erosion products (Reference Pedersen, Watt, Watt and LarsenPedersen and others, 1997). The presence of fine-grained material on Sortebræ is clear from its emergence in the shear zones, the turbidity of supraglacial lakes and of the proglacial meltwater plumes. Furthermore, Sortebræ’s termination in a fjord system suggests the presence of marine clays (Reference Gabel-JørgensenGabel-Jørgensen, 1940). It is therefore not unlikely that Sortebræ overlies a potentially deformable bed. The turbid lakes further imply that a considerable amount of free water must have been trapped sub- and englacially during the surge. The presence of water may play an important role in the surge process: disruption of the subglacial drainage system has been suggested as a potential surge mechanism (Reference KambKamb, 1987). The type of substrate and its effect on subglacial drainage could affect the nature of the surge mechanism and control the propagation and termination of a surge (e.g. Reference Dowdeswell, Hamilton and HagenDowdeswell and others, 1991; Reference MurrayMurray and others, 2000) . Lithology could therefore play an important role not only in the incidence of surging (Reference Jiskoot, Murray and BoyleJiskoot and others, 2000), but also in the actual surge development.

Summary and Conclusions

Two major surges have taken place since 1933 in the Sortebræ complex. The first occurred around 1950 in Sortebræ and Bulging Tributary E, and the second occurred between 1992 and 1995 in Sortebræ. Sortebræ West appears to be permanently fast-flowing and, apart from blocking or being blocked by Sortebræ, it appears unaffected by the surges in the Sortebræ complex.

Measurement and detailed observations of the 1990s surge of Sortebræ reveal that:

1. 1. The surge activated the lower 335 km² of Sortebræ’s basin, just under half the glacier area, redistributed 18.6 km³ of ice over the glacier, and resulted in a frontal advance of at least 5 km and an estimated calving flux of 3.9–7.3 km³ a⁻¹.

2. 2. Measured surge velocities are in the range 1070–10 000 m a⁻¹ while quiescent-phase velocities are only 7.5–200 m a⁻¹.

3. 3. The estimated duration of the surge phase (19–35 months) and quiescent phase (>40 years) is shorter than estimated durations found for other East Greenland surge-type glaciers.

4. 4. Crevasse patterns and surface features are similar to those found on other surging glaciers, but an unexplained phenomenon on Sortebræ is the waves on the post-surge surface in Lower Loop Basin.

5. 5. Surge duration and velocities tentatively suggest a surge mechanism of the Alaskan type (Reference KambKamb, 1987) rather than of the Svalbard type (Reference MurrayMurray and others, 2000).

Further research is necessary on East Greenland surge-type glaciers to elucidate the causes of diversities in surge behaviour and to explain the mechanisms of glacier surging. A detailed analysis of crevasse patterns could help reconstruct the structural processes that occurred during the surge. Measurements of velocity development during surge and quiescence would enable types of glacier surging and possible surge mechanisms to be compared. Remotely sensed data (e.g. Reference DwyerDwyer, 1995; Reference Rolstad, Amlien, Hagen and LundenRolstad and others, 1997; Reference Mohr, Reeh and MadsenMohr and others, 1998) are excellent vehicles for this type of analysis. Murray and others (in press) make a first attempt to analyze the timing and spatial and temporal velocity development of Sortebræ’s 1990s surge.