A New Paraglacial Typology of High Arctic Coastal Systems: Application to Recherchefjorden, Svalbard

Progressing climate changes and declining ice cover (glacial) are accompanied by an increase in the length of paraglacial coasts. Therefore, issues related to the development and transformation of such areas attract increasing interest. No complex classification of paraglacial coasts has been presented so far. The main aim of this study was the determination of the mutual relations and evolution of paraglacial coasts in a systemic approach (paraglacial, proglacial, periglacial) based on the example of Recherchefjorden (Svalbard). Classification of coasts based on geomorphological mapping of the coasts of Recherchefjorden has been developed in terms of the lithology of sediments, genetic origins of hinterland, morphology, and morphodynamics. Analyses of field data and archival materials permitted the preparation of a model of the evolution of six main groups of coasts. Three groups were designated, characteristic of each of the glacial and paraglacial, and periglacial landscape and conditions causing transitions between particular types of coasts were determined. Due to the comprehensive and universal characteristics used in the development of the scheme and the representative landscapes of the Recherchefjorden region, the classification of High Arctic rock coasts presented here is readily transferable to other regions, potentially facilitating future research, management, and modeling of paraglacial areas.