Glaciotectonics and surging glaciers: A correlation based on Vestspitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway

composite ridges (commonly called push-moraines) have been identified at glacier snout locations in Vestspitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway. Each composite ridge system comprises a series of individual ridge forms, arcuate in plan, marking all or part of the glacier margin position and the limit reached during a recent (surge) advance. The landforms are proglacial and composed of a variety of lithological units (silts, sands, clays). No ridge complex in Spitsbergen is associated with a non-surging glacier. Not all surging glaciers develop large push-ridge complexes. At present, 98 glaciers have been identified to have surged in their known or ‘visible’ history. Of these, 20 terminate in deep water fjords or open water, and any push-ridge forms are yet to be found; 13 terminate in steeply sloping valleys, (which inhibits push-ridge complex development); and a further 36 glacier termini have yet to be investigated.