solifluction. The land has been little modified by water erosion. 

 The streams are small, and they flow in the wide glaciated valleys. 

 The sea-ice conditions, as well as the distribution of land ice, 

 point to the fact that Spitsbergen is a place where arctic and more 

 temperate climates meet. The northeast groups of islands are 

 subject to the extreme polar influences. Polar ice floes come in 

 from the east. Stor Fiord and Hinlopen Strait are often ice- 

 blocked and inaccessible even in summer. On the other hand, the 

 west coast receives the benefits of the remnants of the North 

 Atlantic Drift. This current keeps Whaler Bay open, and the 

 harbors of the west coast are accessible for 4 months or more. 



CLIMATE 



The mean annual temperature of Spitsbergen is between 14° F. 

 and 18° F. During the short summer the mean temperature is 

 above freezing. The temperature of the warmest month is about 

 40° F. However, temperatures between 50° F. and 60° F. are not 

 uncommon, particularly when warm foehn winds are blowing. At 

 such a time the ground may thaw to depths of 2 feet. 



The fiords of the west coast freeze over in late December, but 

 January is frequently a warmer month than December. The cold- 

 est periods are in February and March, when the long dark winter 

 is about over. The mean temperature of the coldest month is about 

 minus 10° F. Temperatures above freezing may occur in any 

 month, and midwinter thaws are not uncommon. The variations 

 of winter temperatures, especially the daily ranges, are much 

 greater than those of summer which maintains a fairly uniform 

 warmth. 



Spitsbergen feels the effects of the passing high and low pressure 

 areas which come from the North European Sea and travel south 

 or west of the islands. These bring winds from all directions, the 

 velocity of which is highly variable. The mixture of warm sea air 

 and cold land air produces frequent fog along the west coasts. 

 This coast also receives a more abundant precipitation than the in- 

 land area. The eastern side of the islands is dry, colder and 

 clearer, especially in winter. 



ANIMAL LIFE AND VEGETATION 



The low temperatures and exposed position of the outer coasts 

 retard or prohibit plant growth. The more protected interiors of 

 the fiords support abundant vegetation. On the flat uplands there 

 are moors and swamps in the depressions. The slopes are covered 



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