Swiss Alps

By hindering the ordinary work of the foresters, and by causing an unusually early series of snow falls, the extremely severe autumn of 1952 unfortunately reduced the number of glaciers which could be observed—49 instead of the usual 80.

The small Scex Rouge (Diablerets) alone showed a definite advance; the Rhône Glacier maintained its length as measured in 1951, as also the Moiry Glacier (Valais). The other 46 all showed an increased recession, often in excess of 20 m., with an average of 14 m. Thus from 1951 to 1952 2 per cent of the glaciers were in advance, 4 per cent were stationary and 94 per cent had receded, the average recession being 14 m.Footnote *

P.-L. Mercanton

Norway

During the years 1946/47, 1947/48, 1948/49, 1949/50 and 1950/51 all the glaciers under observation retreated with the exception of Veslejuvbreen in Jotunheimen, a glacier of small size, which had also advanced slightly in 1947/48 and 1948/49.

During 1951/52, however, Store Suphellebreen and Briksdalsbreen in Jostedal had advanced 5 and 10 m. respectively, and Engabreen in Svartisen had advanced 21.5 m.

Measurement of the regime of Storbreen in Jotunheimen showed the following:

O. Liestøl

Eastern Alps

All the glaciers of the Eastern Alps are observed by the Oesterreichischer Alpenverein either yearly or biennially, measurements being made of the distance to the snout from a fixed mark. These observations are under the direction of Professor R. von Klebelsberg, who reports in detail upon them in the Mitteilungen des Oesterreicltischen Alpenvereins.

In the period 1951/52 70 glaciers in all the more important mountain groups were measured. Without a single exception all had receded. The recession was greater than in the previous year. This was particularly marked in the Oetztal and Stubai Alps.

The tongues had not only receded but had also fallen considerably in height, and the glacier speed was reduced. This was particularly the case in the largest of the Eastern Alp glaciers, the Pasterze, although for the first time for many years a slight rise in the cross-section of the glacier surface was to be noted in the higher regions. Except for this, however, there is no evidence at all that the recession of these glaciers is near its end.

H. Kinzl

Iceland

The second column shows the number of individual outlets measured. The right and the left sides of the bigger outlets are treated separately, as experience has shown that they often advance or retreat independently.

The high percentage of advance in 1949/50 is probably due to the cold winter of 1948/49.

J. Eythórsson

France

Observations by members of the Ministère de l’Agriculture (Eaux et Forêts) on French glaciers, obtained through the courtesy of the Société Hydrotechnigue de France, report recession and decreasing regime in all cases.Footnote *