Mass balance and spatio-temporal change in the area of Vestre Broggerbreen glacier, Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, Arctic, between 1993 and 2018

Abstract This study presents changes in the area from 1993 to 2018 and mass balance from 2011 to 2017 of Vestre Broggerbreen glacier, Ny-Alesund, Arctic. The glaciated area has decreased from 3.96 km2 in 1993 to 3.57 km2 in 2018, at a varying rate ranging between 0.011 and 0.02 km2, resulting in a total area loss of 0.39 km2 (~10% at 0.016 km2 a−1). A comparatively rapid decrease in the glaciated area was found during 1998–2010 (0.02 km2 a−1), whereas less retreat rate was found in 1993–98 (0.011 km2 a−1) and 2010–18 (0.012 km2 a−1). The mass balance of Vestre Broggerbreen glacier was found to be negative throughout the entire study period (2011–18). Mass balance ranged between −0.08 (2013–14) and −1.22 m w.e. (2015–16) with a cumulative mass balance of −4.31 m w.e. (0.016 km2 a−1). A strong relationship between mass balance and summer temperature was found with R2=0.97 at P