ИСТИНА

A geomorphological activity of surge glaciers is one of the problems of the glacial geomorphology. The system of reliable geomorphological evidences of surge glaciers would allow reconstructing the glacial surges of the past (or "palaeo-surges"). There was the attempt by D.J.A. Evans and B.R. Rea to reveal indicator landforms (push moraines, crevasse-fill ridges, concertina eskers, flutings, hummocky moraine) in the marginal zones of glaciers that would indicate the surge nature of the glacier advances. A significant part of the assumed landform indicators is also can be found in the marginal zones of non-surge glaciers. The Spitsbergen archipelago is one of the regions of modern glaciation, where surge glaciers are widespread. There are reliable data on the surges of 145 glaciers (about 13% of large glaciers) of Spitsbergen. However, according to some researchers, from 57% of the total area of glaciation up to 90% of all glaciers in Spitsbergen can be classified as surge glaciers. As a result of the geomorphological mapping of the marginal zones of two non-surge glaciers in Spitsbergen (Aldegonda and Gronfjodenbreen) the analysis of the spatial distribution and configuration of the landforms bearing information on the maximum limits of ice advance, ice movement directions and steps of ice degradation, and correlation it with the conception of the surge glacier behavior in its various dynamic phases (active and quiescent) was proposed in addition to the evidences of the landform indicators. This idea was tested on some modern surge glaciers of Spitsbergen (for example Comfortlessbreen). The reported study was funded by RFBR according to the research project No. 16-35-00274 мол_a.