Scientists from the Center for Polar Studies and the Institute of Earth Sciences of the University of Silesia in Katowice are currently studying Svalbard glaciers. Researchers have been continuing the work started by the Silesian expeditions in 1978, the purpose of which is to observe and analyze glaciers and the polar environment.

The main focus of scientists’ interest is the Hans Glacier (in Norwegian Hansbreen), which again significantly reduced its range and accelerated its flow into the sea, what is evidenced by numerous and wide rifts on its surface. This means a further loss of ice mass as icebergs as a result of breaking away the icebergs into the sea.

This process, called glacier calving, is studied through the latest photogrammetric methods (using: laser scanning, time-lapse digital photos or drone aerophotogrammetry) and satellite geodesy. Field research is necessary primarily due to the need to calibrate satellite data.

More: https://us.edu.pl/wyprawy-polarne-badacze-z-uni Uniwersytet-slaskiego-dotarli-do-lodowcow-svalbardu/