Glacier–plume or glacier–fjord circulation models? A 2-D comparison for Hansbreen–Hansbukta system, Svalbard

Abstract Up to 30% of the current tidewater mass loss in Svalbard corresponds frontal ablation through submarine melting and calving. We developed two-dimensional (2-D) glacier–line–plume glacier–fjord circulation coupled models, both including subglacial discharge, iceberg calving, simulate Hansbreen–Hansbukta system, SW Svalbard. ran models for 20 weeks, throughout April–August 2010, using different scenarios discharge crevasse water depth. Both showed large seasonal variations response transient fjord temperatures discharges. Subglacial intensity depth influenced calving rates. Using best-fit configuration parameters our two predicted observed front positions reasonably well (±10 m). Although melt-undercutting shapes, which affected net-stress fields near glacier front, no significant effects on simulated were found. Cumulative (91 94 m) (108 118 along period (glacier–plume glacier–fjord) a 1:1.2 ratio linear between mechanisms. Overall, performed predicting when discharges imposed, glacier–plume model being 50 times computationally faster.