Pia Eriksson and Gunhild Ninis Rosqvist during last year’s measurement at Kebnekaise’s south peak. Photo: Tova Stroeven
Pia Eriksson and Gunhild Ninis Rosqvist during last year’s measurement at Kebnekaise’s south peak. Photo: Tova Stroeven


Kebnekaise’s south peak is Sweden’s highest point, but its height is continually decreasing. In 1902, the height of the south peak was 2,121 metres above sea level but this has since decreased. The south peak is crowned by a small glacier and the height varies from year to year, depending on the weather. During cold years the glacier grows, and it shrinks during warm years. However, in recent decades there has been a clear change.

“Since 1995, the south peak has fallen by almost one metre on average per year. Some years it has remained at the same height or even slightly higher. But it is a clearly decreasing trend,” said Gunhild Ninis Rosqvist to Dagens Nyheter.

Ninis Rosqvist is Professor at Stockholm University and director of the Tarfala Research Station and one of the researchers who, at the end of summer, measures the height of the south peak each year.

This year’s survey results for the south peak show a height of 2,098.5 metres above sea level. This is 1.4 meters higher than last year, which can be explained by a cool summer and less melting on the top glacier. But it is just a matter of time before the glaciers of the southern peak melt to such an extent that the nearby north peak, at 2,096.8 meters above sea level, and not covered by a glacier, will become Sweden’s highest point. Last year the difference was only 30 centimetres, when the south peak was measured to 2,097.1 meters above sea level.

At the Tarfala research station, located just over 1,100 metres at the foot of the Kebnekaise, scientists have studied and measured the glacier since 1946. The researchers have also studied photographs taken in the early 20th century to see the glacier’s propagation. Everything clearly shows that major changes have occurred during this period and that the rate of change has increased sharply.

Article in Dagens Nyheter (in Swedish): ”På Sveriges högsta topp är klimatförändringen tydlig”

See the view from Kebnekaise in 360 degrees (DN’s website).

More information about Tarfala research station.