The mechanism of glacier recession and its climatic controls are complex processes that differ across the Arctic region. Here, we investigate factors influencing front variations of Hansbreen, a glacier terminated in Hornsund fjord (SW Svalbard). We apply remote sensing data to observe glacier front fluctuations between 1992 and 2015 and compare them to atmospheric and oceanographic data, sea water depth at the terminus and surface velocity. Rate of subglacial meltwater discharge approximated by the seasonal positive degree‐day index (PDD) together with sea thermal conditions appear to be the main factors responsible for the fluctuations of the front of Hansbreen, while water depth at the front plays a secondary role. Taking into account ocean and air thermal conditions, the studied period has been divided into warm, cold and moderate years. The glacier retreated considerably throughout a bedrock overdeepening in the very warm period 2012–2014. This recession coincided with a slower ice flow due to intense subglacial runoff and increased submarine melting. The long‐term retreat was interrupted by glacier advances in colder years, regardless of water depth at the front. The slower recession rate was the combined effect of decreased subglacial melting and increased glacier movement associated with lower subglacial runoff. Although the seasonal PDD is a good indicator of the front fluctuations, the duration of the retreat and advance periods are strongly correlated with the sea surface temperature. Expected climate warming and an increase of water temperature in the West Spitsbergen Current will stimulate further recession of Hansbreen in future.

中文翻译：

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控制斯瓦尔巴特群岛潮水冰川汉斯伯林总站位置的因素

冰川退缩的机制及其气候控制是复杂的过程，在整个北极地区有所不同。在这里，我们调查了影响汉斯布伦（Hansbreen）的正面变化的因素，汉斯布伦（Hansbreen）是终止于霍恩松峡湾（SW Svalbard）的冰川。我们应用遥感数据来观察1992年至2015年之间的冰川锋面波动，并将其与大气和海洋数据，终点处的海水深度和地表速度进行比较。通过季节性正日指数（PDD）估算的冰川下融水排放速率以及海水热状况似乎是导致汉斯布伦锋面波动的主要因素，而锋面的水深起着次要作用。考虑到海洋和空气的热条件，研究期分为温暖，寒冷和中等年。在2012-2014年非常温暖的时期，整个基岩过度加深，冰川大量退缩。由于强烈的冰川下径流和海底融化增加，这种衰退与冰流缓慢同时发生。不管前锋的水深如何，在较冷的年代，长期的退缩都被冰川的进展打断了。衰退速度较慢是冰川下融化减少和冰川运动增加与冰川下径流降低相关的综合作用。尽管季节性PDD可以很好地指示前缘波动，但退缩的持续时间和提前期与海面温度密切相关。预期的气候变暖和西斯匹次卑尔根海流水温的升高将刺激汉斯布鲁克未来的进一步衰退。