Ålfotbreen

{{Short description|Glacier in Vestland county, Norway}}

{{Use dmy dates | date=December 2024}}

{{Infobox glacier

|name = Ålfotbreen

|other_name =

|photo = Ålfotbreen Iskontorets brebilder 01429.jpg

|photo_width =

|photo_alt =

|photo_caption = View of the glacier

|map = Vestland#Norway

|map_width =

|map_alt =

|map_caption = Location of the glacier

|location = Vestland, Norway

|coordinates = {{coord|61|44|27|N|05|38|07|E|region:NO_type:glacier|display=inline,title}}

|type = Mountain glacier

|area = {{convert|17|km2|abbr=on}}

|length = {{convert|6.5|km}}

|thickness = {{convert|8|to|10|m}}

|elevation_max =

|elevation_min =

|terminus =

|status =

}}

The Ålfotbreen glacier is located in Vestland county, Norway. The {{convert|17|km2|adj=on}} glacier is located on the border of three municipalities in the Nordfjord region: Bremanger, Kinn, and Gloppen. It is located west of the village of Hyen, south of the village of Ålfoten, and east of the village of Svelgen.

The glacier reaches an elevation of {{convert|1385|m}} at its highest point. The area surrounding the glacier, closer to the Nordfjorden, is one of the wettest places in Norway, getting an average of {{convert|5600|mm}} of rainfall each year. The heavy precipitation keeps the glacier very healthy with an average thickness of {{convert|8|to|10|m}}.{{cite encyclopedia |title=Ålfotbreen |encyclopedia=Store norske leksikon|editor=Henriksen, Petter |editor-link=Petter Henriksen |publisher=Kunnskapsforlaget |location=Oslo|url=http://www.snl.no/Ålfotbreen |first=Svein |last=Askheim |language=Norwegian|accessdate=27 August 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://regclim.met.no/cicerone_artikler/cic05-01-side_24-26.pdf|title=Og regnet strømmet ned på jorden|first1=Sigbjørn|last1=Grønås|first2=Dag|last2=Kvamme|first3=Roar|last3=Teigen|language=Norwegian|accessdate=2013-10-23}}

On 9 January 2009, the {{convert|226|km2|adj=on}} area surrounding the glacier, the glacier itself, and the nearby Gjegnalundsbreen glacier, were preserved as a landscape protection area by the Norwegian government.{{cite web | url=http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/md/pressesenter/pressemeldinger/2009/alfotbreen.html?id=541997&epslanguage=NO | title=Norges vestligste isbreer er nå vernet | work=regjeringen.no | date=9 January 2009 | accessdate=2013-10-23 | language=Norwegian}}

Mass balance measurements have been performed at the glacier since 1963 by the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE).{{cite web|url=https://www.nve.no/hydrology/glaciers/monitoring/alfotbreen|title=Ålfotbreen|publisher=NVE}}