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Last updated: March 17, 2001	Unless otherwise specified; text, tables, photographs, maps and other graphics © 1999-2001 Gunnar Ljungstrand
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The glaciers of the Kårsa massif

The Kårsa massif from E, August 17, 1986. (69 kB)

The Kårsa massif is not a particularly high but still heavily glaciated high mountain massif between the Kuokkel plateau-Torne träsk and Håikanvagge-Abiskodalen in western Abisko mountains. The highest peak is Vassitjåkka (1590 m), and the massif contains 10 glaciers. The massif is called Western Abisko Alps as well.

Table over the glaciers of the Kårsa massif with basic data

#	Name	Type	Area (km²)	Length (km)	Lowest point (m)	Highest point (m)	Height difference (m)
1.	Vuoitasjekna	Ice cap	0.43	0.7	1300	1560	260
2.	Alep Håikanjekna	Cirque glacier	0.35	0.8	1135	1355	220
3.	Lulep Håikanjekna	Ice cap	0.33	1.1	1190	1455	265
4.	Kårsajekna	Valley glacier	1.57	2.1	940	1480	540
5.	Kårsatjåkkajekna	Cirque glacier	0.82	1.6	1110	1485	375
6.	Lulep Vassijekna	Ice cap	0.71	0.9	1410	1570	160
7.	Kaska Vassijekna	Cirque glacier	0.14	0.4	1090	1380	290
8.	Alep Vassijekna	Ice cap	0.12	0.4	1130	1295	165
9.	Kuoblajekna	Ice cap	0.15	0.4	1170	1290	120
10.	Kåppasjekna	Ice cap	0.15	0.5	1235	1305	70
Total			4.77

1. Vuoitasjekna

Vuoitasjekna from E, August 16, 1986. (69 kB)

Vuoitasjekna (0.43 km²) is a steep ice cap on the east side of Vuoitasrita. It is rather crevassed, and flows down in two prominent tongues.

2. Alep Håikanjekna

Alep Håikanjekna from NW, August 16, 1986. (74 kB)

Alep Håikanjekna (0.35 km²) is a cirque glacier east of Vuoitasrita. It is smaller than what is plotted on the mountain map, and no longer extends into the lake below.

3. Lulep Håikanjekna

Lulep Håikanjekna from NW, August 16, 1986. (67 kB)

Lulep Håikanjekna (0.33 km²) is a steep ice cap on the southwest side of Kårsatjåkka.

4. Kårsajekna

Kårsajekna from E, August 16, 1986. (146 kB)

Kårsajekna (1.57 km²), more widely known as Kårsajökeln, is a fairly large valley glacier, which however has been much larger. Earlier during the 20th century it was continuos with the higher situated Kårsatjåkkajekna. Due to its relative proximity to the railroad Kårsajekna became subject to more detailed investigations at an early time, before the establishment of the science station in Tarfala displaced the focus to the glaciers in the Kebnekaise massif.

The upper parts of Kårsajekna from NE, August 16, 1986. (60 kB)

Kårsajekna has a massive medial moraine which has protected the ice beneath from melting, so that it juts up and forward from the rest of the snout. The glacier tongue extends down to 940 m, which must be regarded as a very low figure (for Swedish conditions). The lower part of the ice is relatively even and free of crevasses, but there are quite a few crevasses in the upper steeper parts.

Pinnacles in the upper part of Kårsajekna, August 16, 1986. (38 kB)

At the south side of the uppermost part of Kårsajekna there are several small, sharp pinnacles reaching some 1520 m in height.

5. Kårsatjåkkajekna

Kårsatjåkkajekna (0.82 km²) is a cirque glacier northeast of Kårsatjåkka. Previously it was part of the larger Kårsajekna.

6. Lulep Vassijekna

Lulep Vassijekna (0.71 km²) is an ice cap on the summit plateau of Vassitjåkka.

7. Kaska Vassijekna

Kaska Vassijekna (0.14 km²) is a small cirque glacier north of Vassitjåkka.

8. Alep Vassijekna

Alep Vassijekna (0.12 km²), a tiny ice cap, lies aside a cirque in Vassitjåkka.

9. Kuoblajekna

Kuoblajekna (0.15 km²) is a small ice cap on the east side of Kuoblatjårro.

10. Kåppasjekna

Kåppasjekna (0.15 km²), a tiny ice cap (or dead ice), lies on the east slope of Pajep Kåppatjåkka. It is not plotted on the mountain map.

	Top of document	The glaciers of the Tuopte massif	The glaciers of the Abisko mountains	The glaciers of the Kiellas massif	Site map	Email the author	Copyleft information	Detta dokument på svenska
Last updated: March 17, 2001	Unless otherwise specified; text, tables, photographs, maps and other graphics © 1999-2001 Gunnar Ljungstrand
	Images with size information (xx kB) leads to the corresponding image in 4 x better resolution.