View Of Longyearbyen Harbour On Spitzbergen, Norway Stock Photo

Spitzbergen - also called Svalbard, is a large group of glaciated volcanic islands - part of Norway in he Arctic Ocean. The glaciers have carved away the lower slopes of the volcanoes, leaving dramatic scenery as shown in the image. Most glaciers descend slowly from the frozen interior into the sea. The islands are home to polar bears, walruses and many other types of arctic wildlife. Global warming is causing the permafrost soils to melt. Longyearbyen is the principal settlement with a harbour, medical facilities, satellite tracking station and housing.