SPITSBERGEN WATERS. 21 



The mean temperature-anomaly for December ist 1911 to May 3ist 

 1912 was o.43C. at the five Norwegian stations, while for December 

 ist 1909 to May 3ist 1910 it was i.6iC. The mean anomaly for the 

 two winters 1910 to 1911 and 1911 to 1912 was 0.32 C., and for the two 

 winters 1908 to 1909 and 1909 to 1910 was 1.15 C. [see 1912, pp. 42 

 and 43]. The differences between these mean temperatures are conse- 

 quently in better harmony with the difference of temperature (about 1.0 C.) 

 which the Spitsbergen Atlantic Current 

 was colder in 1912 than in 1910, accor- 

 ding to our observations. 



Helland-Hansen and I also pointed 

 out [1912, pp. 44 et seq.] that the anual 

 variations in the distribution of ice in the 

 Barents Sea in May seem to agree with 

 the anual variations in the temperature of 

 the Spitsbergen Atlantic Current in the Fig. 19. Curve I, Temperature- Anomaly 



of the Spitsbergen Atlantic Current 



same years. (scale to the left) Curve ^ The Area> 



The area of open water in the Ba- in hundred-thausands of square kilo- 

 rents Sea east of 20 E. Long, was about metres of P en Water in tlie Barents 



Sea in May (scale to the right). 



237000 square kilometres in May 1912 



(according to the charts published by the Danish Meteorological Institute) 

 and 492 ooo square kilometres in May 1910. There was in fact an excep- 

 tionally small area of open water in the Barents Sea in May 1912, and this 

 is in good agreement with the low temperature of the Spitsbergen At- 

 lantic Current that summer. 



The curves in Fig. 19 demonstrate the variations in the temperature- 

 anomaly of the Spitsbergen Atlantic Current and in the open water in the 

 Barents Sea in May for the years when there are observations. It ought, 

 however, to be remembered that the assumed anomalies of the Spitsbergen 

 Current are based on an imperfect observation-material, and the obtained 

 results cannot therefore be considered as very trustworthy. 



The Water of the Spitsbergen Fjords, and the Coast 



Water. 



In our paper "On the Sea West of Spitsbergen" HELLAND-HANSEN and 

 I [1912, pp. 54 et seq.] have discussed the nature and origin of the water of 

 the Spitsbergen fjords, especially Ice Fjord. The observations of 1912 confirm 

 on the whole the correctness of the views which we then held in this 

 respect, though they may have to be slightly modified as regards the 



