The summer has been very hot in northern Sweden and melting has been extensive in all glaciers, including the 40 meter thick ice that is the Kebnekaise South peak.
– There is now only 70 centimeters difference between the South peak and the North peak. During the winter, snow will add to the height of the South peak, but if next summer also gets hot, there is a risk that the North peak will become Sweden's highest peak. Since the North peak is harder to get to, it will become a challenge for tourism on the Kebnekaise, says Gunhild Rosqvist, Professor at Stockholm University and director of Tarfala Research Station.
Kebnekaise South peak is a small glacier, which means that the height changes as the glacier grows and melts. The North peak on the other hand, is solid rock. The South peak has had its height reduced by an average of one meter each year during the past 15 years, but the height varies between years. The height depends on how much winter snow is accumulated and how much snow and ice that melts during the summer, which depends on the summer temperature and the length of the melting season.
– This summer has been long and warm. We don’t believe the ice on the South peak will melt much more this year. The forecast doesn’t promise particularly high temperatures and there is already a 20-30 centimeter layer of new snow on the highest parts of Kebnekaise, says Gunhild Rosqvist.
The first height measurement of the South peak was performed by P.G. Rosén in 1902. The peak was then measured to 2.121 meters above sea level. Nowadays researchers at Tarfala Research Station are measuring the melting of glaciers at Kebnekaise in the same way at the end of each summer season.
South peak height during the last five years
2010: 2102 MASL
2011: 2100 MASL
2012: 2102 MASL
2013: 2099 MASL
2014: 2097,5 MASL
Further information
Gunhild Rosqvist, Professor at Stockholm University and director of Tarfala Research Station.
Email: gunhild.rosqvist@natgeo.su.se
Phone +46 702-29 34 04