Inspection of glaciers
In September, the Governor, in collaboration with the Longyearbyen Red Cross Corps, carried out a helicopter inspection of some glaciers in Svalbard.
The general impression is that the smaller glaciers are getting smaller, have more and larger meltwater channels, and small collapses and cracks in connection with the meltwater channels.
On the larger glaciers, melting is greater than accumulation and more cracks are appearing.
You can download the report here (in Norwegian).
Safety is your own responsibility
The Governor emphasizes that pictures and maps do not say anything about the conditions in places other than those mentioned. In other words, it does not mean that it is safe everywhere else.
Those who travel in the wild in Svalbard are encouraged, as always, to take their precautions and be careful. Conditions may also have changed after the inspections by helicopter. Safety is the responsibility of the individual.