Tab. 1: Number and percentage of glacier movements in the Austrian Alps between 1890 and 1969

Since 1890 the variations of the fronts of numerous glaciers in the Eastern Alps have been measured for the Österreichischer Alpenverein. The present paper presents the results of these measurements and the percentage of advancing, retreating, and stationary glaciers as calculated for each year from the total number of glaciers measured. The measurements reveal two distinct periods of advance, i. e. one period from 1890 to 1900 with up to 47% of glaciers advancing, and one period from 1909 to 1928 with up to 75% of glaciers advancing. The period from 1928 to 1964 is marked by a strong retreat of glaciers. A comparison with the results of measurements of glaciers in the Western Alps of Switzerland shows good agreement. The behaviour of glaciers corresponds well to the climatic conditions prevailing during the summer months of the 80 years observed.

Austrian glacier inventory 1969 (G I)

The Austrian glacier inventory 1969 was compiled from airborne photogrammetry dating from September and October 1969. It includes not only area and surface elevation, but also a number of other parameters as aspect, maximum and minimum elevation, position, ablation and accumulation area. The dataset published here are the orginal results. In course of the compilation of the second Austrian glacier inventory, the photogrammetric data partly has been reanalysed. While in this data set snow areas connected to the glaciers and snow patches in the upper parts of the glacier have not been added to the glacier area, the second glacier inventory included the snow patches.