Glacier monitoring: BGS observatory at Virkisjökull, Iceland
The BGS operate an observatory site at Virkisjökull in south-east Iceland, studying the evolution of the glacier and the surrounding landscape and their responses to regional climate.
Sensors at the site are constantly collecting climate and seismic data. Repeated high resolution surveys study how both the glacier and land surface, and the deposits beneath, change over time.
We are using the latest cutting-edge technologies, not used in combination anywhere else in the world. These give unique insights into:
- processes of landscape formation
- responses of glacial systems to climate forcing
Virkisjökull: a glacier in decline
Virkisjökull is retreating rapidly, like most glaciers in Iceland. Since 1996, the glacier margin has retreated nearly 500m, and it appears that this rate has accelerated over the last five years.
Why is this important?
Globally, glaciers and ice sheets help to regulate Earth's climate:
- they are highly reflective, bouncing large amounts of solar energy back into space, keeping the Earth cooler
- in many countries including Iceland, glaciers are a major source of water, both for domestic use, and for power generation
- melting glaciers can cause large-scale flooding, which affects roads and other infrastructure
High resolution monitoring
What techniques are the BGS using? — 4D high resolution monitoring of glacier evolution
We interpret the combined results of constant monitoring, using automatic systems, plus field surveying of land-surface change, glacier hydrology, and evolution of the shallow subsurface.
Monitoring network:
- glacier climate and automatic weather stations
- icequakes and seismometers
- meltwater monitoring: catchment hydrology
- landscape change: terrestrial LiDAR
- down below: ground penetrating radar (GPR) and passive seismicity
Contact
Contact Jez Everest for further information
