Svalbard, previously known as Spitsbergen or Spitzbergen, is a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. North of mainland Europe, it lies about midway between the northern coast of Norway and the North Pole. The islands of the group range from 74° to 81° north latitude, and from 10° to 35° east longitude. The largest island is Spitsbergen, followed in size by Nordaustlandet and Edgeøya. The largest settlement is Longyearbyen on the west coast of Spitsbergen.
Nordaustlandet is the second-largest island in the archipelago of Svalbard, Norway, with an area of 14,443 square kilometres (5,576 sq mi). It lies north east of Spitsbergen, separated by Hinlopen Strait. Much of Nordaustlandet lies under large ice caps, mainly Austfonna and Vestfonna, the remaining parts of the north being tundra inhabited by reindeer and walruses. The island is uninhabited and lies entirely within Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve.
Glacial surges are short-lived events where a glacier can advance substantially, moving at velocities up to 100 times faster than normal. Surging glaciers cluster around a few areas. High concentrations of surging glaciers occur in the Karakoram, Pamir Mountains, Svalbard, the Canadian Arctic islands, Alaska and Iceland, although overall it is estimated that only one percent of all the world's glaciers ever surge. In some glaciers, surges can occur in fairly regular cycles, with 15 to 100 or more surge events per year. In other glaciers, surging remains unpredictable. In some glaciers, however, the period of stagnation and build-up between two surges typically lasts 10 to 200 years and is called the quiescent phase. During this period the velocities of the glacier are significantly lower, and the glaciers can retreat substantially.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Svalbard:
The economy of Svalbard is dominated by coal mining, tourism and research. In 2007, there were 484 people working in the mining sector, 211 people working in the tourism sector and 111 people working in the education sector. The same year, mining gave a revenue of 2.008 billion kr, tourism NOK 317 million and research 142 million. In 2006, the average income for economically active people was NOK 494,700, or 23% higher than on the mainland. Almost all housing is owned by the various employers and institutions and rented to their employees; there are only a few privately owned houses, most of which are recreational cabins. Because of this, it is nearly impossible to live on Svalbard without working for an established institution. The Spitsbergen Treaty and Svalbard Act established Svalbard as an economic free zone and demilitarized zone in 1925.
Indre Wijdefjorden National Park is located in a steep fjord landscape in northern Spitsbergen in Svalbard, Norway. It covers the inner part of Wijdefjorden—the longest fjord on Svalbard. The national park was established on 9 September 2005 and covers 1,127 km2 (435 sq mi), of which 745 km2 (288 sq mi) is on land and 382 km2 (147 sq mi) is sea. The marine environment changes vastly from the mouth of the fjord, through a still, cold, water basin, becoming deeper before reaching the glacier Mittag-Lefflerbreen at the inner-most sections of the fjord.
Eidembukta is a bay in Oscar II Land at Spitsbergen, Svalbard. It has a width of about 4.5 kilometers, and is located at the southeastern side of Forlandsundet. The glacier of Eidembreen debouches into the bay. The bay is named after Norwegian politician and naval officer Ole Thorenius Eidem.
Trollheimen is a mountainous area in Oscar II Land at Spitsbergen, Svalbard, around the glacier of Eidembreen. Among the mountains of Trollheimen are Tussekallen, Runebomma, Heksefjellet, Huldrefjellet, Huldrehatten, Tomtegubben, and parts of Gunnar Knudsenfjella. North of Eidembreen is the glacier of Huldrebreen, and to the south are Heksebreen and Stallobreen.
Stallobreen is a glacier in Oscar II Land at Spitsbergen, Svalbard. It has a length of about 4.5 kilometers, and is located between the mountains of Stallofjellet, Sparrefjellet and Heksefjellet, near the glacier complex of Eidembreen.
Gunnar Knudsenfjella is a mountain group in Oscar II Land at Spitsbergen, Svalbard. The mountains are located south of St. Jonsfjorden, and are surrounded by the glaciers of Charlesbreen, Løvliebreen and Eidembreen.
Sparrefjellet is a mountain in Oscar II Land at Spitsbergen, Svalbard. It reaches a height of 788 m.a.s.l. and extends over a length of about five kilometers. The mountain is located between the glaciers of Venernbreen, Eidembreen and Stallobreen. It is named after Norwegian naval officer Christian Sparre.
Heksefjellet is a mountain in Oscar II Land at Spitsbergen, Svalbard. It reaches a height of 774 m.a.s.l. and is located between the glaciers of Heksebreen and Stallobreen, south of Eidembreen. The mountain is part of the mountainous district of Trollheimen.
Heksebreen is a glacier in Oscar II Land at Spitsbergen, Svalbard. It has a length of about 3.5 kilometers, and is a tributary glacier to Eidembreen. The glacier is located south in the mountainous district of Trollheimen, and is surrounded by the mountains of Heksefjellet, Runebomma, Trollungen and Stortrollet.
Motalafjella is a mountain range in Oscar II Land at Spitsbergen, Svalbard. It is located north of Eidembreen, between the glaciers of Austgötabreen and Vestgötabreen. Its highest peak reaches a height of 886 m.a.s.l. The mountain range is named after the Swedish city of Motala.
Tomtegubben is a mountain in Oscar II Land at Spitsbergen, Svalbard. It has a height of 779 m.a.s.l., and is located between the glaciers of Borebreen and Eidembreen. Tomtegubben is part of the mountainous district of Trollheimen.
Venernbreen is a glacier in Oscar II Land at Spitsbergen, Svalbard. It has a length of about fifteen kilometers, and is located between the mountains of Sparrefjellet and Kinnefjellet. The glacier is named after the Swedish lake of Vänern.
Runebomma is a mountain in Oscar II Land at Spitsbergen, Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. It has a height of 729 m.a.s.l., and is located between the glaciers of Venernbreen, Heksebreen and Eidembreen. Runebomma is part of the mountainous district of Trollheimen.
Huldrebreen is a glacier in Oscar II Land at Spitsbergen, Svalbard. It is surrounded by the mountains of Huldrehatten, Huldrefjellet and Bytingen, west in the mountainous district of Trollheimen. Huldrebreen and Austgötabreen are located north of the glacier complex of Eidembreen. The glacier is named after Hulder in Scandinavian folklore.
Huldrehatten is a mountain in Oscar II Land at Spitsbergen, Svalbard. It reaches a height of 787 m.a.s.l., and is located west in the mountainous district of Trollheimen, north of the glacier complex of Eidembreen, and north of Huldrefjellet. The mountain is named after Hulder in Scandinavian folklore.
Stallofjellet is a mountain in Oscar II Land at Spitsbergen, Svalbard. It reaches a height of 735 m.a.s.l. The mountain is located between the glaciers of Venernbreen, Stallobreen and Eidembreen, and has an extension of about three kilometers.
