Remote sensing of glacier change (1965–2021) and identification of surge-type glaciers on Severnaya Zemlya, Russian High Arctic

Abstract Glaciers in the Russian High Arctic have undergone accelerated mass loss due to atmospheric and oceanic warming Barents–Kara Sea region. Most studies concentrated on western sector, despite evidence of accelerating as far east Severnaya Zemlya. However, long-term trends glacier change Zemlya are largely unknown this record may be complicated by surge-type glaciers. Here, we present a assessment (1965–2021) new inventory glaciers using declassified spy-satellite photography (KH-7/9 Hexagon) optical satellite imagery (ASTER, Sentinel-2A, Landsat-4/5 TM 8 OLI). Glacier area reduced from 17 053 km 2 1965 16 275 2021 (−5%; mean: −18%, max: −100%), with areal shrinkage most pronounced at land-terminating southern Zemlya, where there is recent (post-2010s) increase summer temperatures. We find that surging more widespread than previously thought, three classified confirmed surge-type, eight likely surged nine possible, comprising 11% Zemlya's 190 (37% area). Under continued warming, anticipate retreat increased likelihood basal thermal regimes shift.