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Vast majority of glaciers measured are disappearing
Of the 31 glaciers that are measured on a regular basis in Norway, as many as 21 have receded during 2017, according to the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE).
The directorate’s surveys also reveal that nine of the glaciers show no changes, while one glacier has actually extended. The biggest decline of glacial ice has been measured at the Nigardsbreen glacier at Jostedalsbreen, which receded 54 metres.
Other glaciers that have receded considerably include Gråfjellsbreen at Folgefonna, which is now 43 metres shorter, and Koppangsbreen in Lyngen, which has truncated by 32 metres.
Poor ratio
The reason for the loss, the NVE says, is mass balance – the ratio between the quantity of snow that falls on the glacier and how much melts. This ratio has been in the negative for a long period of time.
The 31 glaciers measured by the directorate account for 12% of the glacial area in Norway.
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