Editing Franz Josef Land (section)

==Hydrology==
Franz Josef Land is dominated by glaciation, which covers an area of {{convert|13735|km2|sp=us}}, or 85 percent of the archipelago.<ref name=b8 /> The glaciers have an average thickness of {{convert|180|m|sp=us}}, which would convert to {{convert|2500|km3|sp=us}}. This would alone give a {{convert|6|mm|sp=us}} [[eustatic]] rise in [[sea level]] should it melt.<ref>Barr (1995): 15</ref> Large ice-free areas are only found on the largest islands, such as the {{convert|499.8|km2|sp=us|adj=on}} Armitage Peninsula of George Land, the {{convert|493.7|km2|sp=us|adj=on}} Kholmistyi Peninsula of Graham Bell Island, the {{convert|270|km2|sp=us|adj=on}} Central'naya Susha of Alexandra Land, the {{convert|162.6|km2|sp=us|adj=on}} Ganza Point of Wilczek Land and the {{convert|84.2|km2|sp=us|adj=on}} Heyes Island. Most of the smaller islands are unglaciated.<ref name=b8 />

[[File:SH101435.JPG|thumb|Iceberg at [[Heiss Island]] in September 2007.]]

Streams only form during the runoff period from May through early September. [[Permafrost]] causes most of the runoff to take place on the surface, with streams only forming on the largest islands. The longest river is {{convert|19|km|sp=us}} long and forms on George Land, while there are several streams on Alexandra Land, the longest being {{convert|8.4|km|sp=us}}.<ref>Barr (1995): 27</ref> There are about one thousand lakes in the archipelago, the majority of which are located on Alexandra Land and George Land. Most lakes are located in depressions caused by glacial erosion, in addition to a smaller number of lagoon lakes. Their sizes vary from {{convert|2|km2|sp=us}} to {{convert|0.4|ha}}. Most are only {{convert|2|m|sp=us}} deep, with the deepest measured at {{convert|10|m|sp=us}}.<ref>Barr (1995): 28</ref>

The sea [[Ocean current|current]]s surrounding the archipelago touch eastern Svalbard and northern Novaya Zemlya. The cold Makarov Current flows from the north and the Arctic Current flows from the northwest, while the warmer Novaya Zemlya Current flows from the south. The latter has temperatures over {{convert|0.5|C}}, while the bottom water lies below {{convert|−1.7|C}}. The southern coastal regions of the archipelago experience currents from east to west. Average velocity is between {{convert|2|and|5|cm|sp=us}} per second. The tidal component in coastal areas is {{convert|15|cm|sp=us}} per second.<ref>Barr (1995): 38</ref> [[Pack ice]] occurs throughout the year around the entire island group, with the lowest levels being during August and September. One-year winter ice starts forming in October and reaches a thickness of {{convert|1.5|m|sp=us}}.<ref>Barr (1995): 39</ref> [[Icebergs]] are common year-round.<ref>Barr (1995): 40</ref>