Brief communication: Storstrømmen Glacier, northeastern Greenland, primed for end-of-decade surge

Abstract

Storstrømmen Glacier, a large surge-type marine-terminating glacier in northeastern Greenland, is currently in a quiescent phase. We reassess the glacier's development toward a potential surge by updating time series of surface elevation, ice velocity, and grounding line location through 2023. Observations suggest the glacier is approaching pre-surge conditions, with a possible surge onset projected to occur between 2027 and 2040. Additionally, we document several lake drainage events that caused transient ice flow accelerations without triggering a surge. The findings underscore the importance of continued monitoring to improve our understanding of surge initiation mechanisms, including the influence of transient drainage events.