Manuscript in preparation
Draft abstract: Glacimarine dynamics and associated sedimentary processes are closely tied to glacial regime. In turn, glacial regime fluctuates based on predominant climatological conditions. Glaciers of western Spitsbergen, Svalbard are susceptible to global-scale climate fluctuations based on their proximity to the Western Svalbard Current. Specific glacimarine processes such as sediment yield have been analyzed in different glacial regimes worldwide. However quantitative records for the subpolar glacial regime, especially those near glacial termini where most sediment accumulates, are limited. Here we characterize the state of the modern glacimarine environment, present quantitative sediment flux measurements, document the genesis of grounding-line and ice-contact deposits, and hypothesize potential future behaviour of Kronebreen and Kongsvegen glaciers in inner Kongsfjorden, Svalbard. We present minimal daily and annual sediment accumulation rates from within 240 m of the termini that exceed the maximum accumulations rates of previous studies at nearby glaciers. A minimum of 6.74x103 g m-2 24h-1 of glacimarine sediment is aggrading and prograding a grounding-line fan from a submarine stream discharge in front of Kronebreen. The vertical accumulation rate is at least 30 cm a-1. Meltwater runoff from a newly formed ice-contact delta in front of Kongsvegen glacier is also contributing sediment to the inner basin in addition to stabilizing the glacier terminus. We record the average daily rate of sediment flux in the inner basin to be 2.6x103 g m-2 24h-1. Extrapolated out to the entire meltseason this results in an average sediment flux of 1.56x105 g m-2 a-1, a rate one order of magnitude lower than temperate glaciers, such as those in southeast Alaska. With potential arctic climate warming we would expect meltwater volumes and sediment flux to increase. The grounding-line deposits may aggrade above water, tending to stabilize the terminus at least initially. A minor readvance may be facilitated and potentially lead to Kronebreen becoming separated from Kongsfjorden by an ice-contact delta. This would hold until either Kongsvegen next surges or climatic warming downwastes the glaciers through surface melting.
