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A multiyear (2020-2024) geophysical dataset, acquired over Midtre Lovénbreen glacier forefield, Svalbard, comprised of physicochemical properties of deglaciated soils, freeze-thaw electrical imaging and photographic data of site conditions

Publisher
British Geological Survey (BGS)
Updated
25 September 2026
Topic
Not set
Licence
Not set

Summary

A continuous four-year record of physicochemical properties of soils deglaciated in the last century due to the retreat of Midtre Lovénbreen (ML) glacier in the vicinity of Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard. Below ground data are accompanied by an over ground three-year (2022-2024) photographic record aimed at capturing snow depth levels during the transition seasons between Arctic summer and winter (NET0105681_SUNSPEARS_Photographic data). This dataset aids our understanding of deglaciated soil evolution in the current rapidly changing Arctic landscape. At four locations (reported in NET0105681_SUNSPEARS_GPS data) along the ML glacier forefield, in October 2020, soil in four different stages of development, depending on time elapsed since deglaciation, was sampled. Samples were processed in the laboratory in order to determine their texture (results reported in NET0105681_SUNSPEARS_Particle Size Analysis data) and X-ray CT scanned in order to determine their internal structure (CT reconstructed images reported in NET0105681_SUNSPEARS_Computed Tomography data). At two of the four sampling locations (SUN1 and SUN2), geophysical monitoring stations were installed, which use an array of sensors to continuously measure soil electrical resistivity in 3D (NET0105681_SUNSPEARS_PRIME 3D ERT data). Raw electrical resistivity data, instrument health data and corresponding reconstructed 3D electrical resistivity profile images (and timelapse videos) of the subsurface are included. Topographic surveys of all the sensors operated by the monitoring stations are included. In the vicinity of the two geophysical monitoring stations, longer and deeper electrical resistivity profiles were acquired. These allow one to image the boundary between the active layer (that freezes and thaws depending on ambient temperature) and underlying permanently frozen ground. Raw electrical resistivity data and corresponding reconstructed 2D electrical resistivity profile images of the subsurface are included (NET0105681_SUNSPEARS_PRIME 2D ERT data).

Data links

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Citation Information - Digital Object Identifier (DOI) – 25/9/2026
Data – 25/9/2026

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Additional information

Source Metadata
XML, HTML
Date added
25 September 2026
Harvest GUID
2d906dc9-520a-0bf6-e063-0937940ab45e
Extent (Latitude)
78.9500° to 78.8500°
Extent (Longitude)
12.0500° to 12.1000°
Dataset reference date (creation)
2025-02-05
Frequency of update
notApplicable
Access constraints
The copyright of materials derived from the British Geological Survey's work is vested in the Natural Environment Research Council [NERC]. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the prior permission of the copyright holder, via the BGS Intellectual Property Rights Manager. Use by customers of information provided by the BGS, is at the customer's own risk. In view of the disparate sources of information at BGS's disposal, including such material donated to BGS, that BGS accepts in good faith as being accurate, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the quality or accuracy of the information supplied, or to the information's suitability for any use. NERC/BGS accepts no liability whatever in respect of loss, damage, injury or other occurence however caused.
Responsible party
British Geological Survey (distributor, originator, pointOfContact)
ISO 19139 resource type
dataset
Metadata language
eng

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