18th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Melting ice

This summer 2020, Svalbard archipelago has recorded the highest temperature ever since the start of meteorological records. The air temperature suddenly reached 21,7 degrees Celsius. The Aerial image witness it and shows us how much the Austfonna ice cap was melting during. The average air temperature in Svalbard has increased by 3 to 5 ° C over the past five decades. In recent years, there have been episodes of heavy rains during the winter.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 08.2020
Date Uploaded: 11.2020
Photo Location: Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Copyright: © florian ledoux