TOP 10 ALASKAN GLACIER SURPRISES

by Larry O'Hanlon

10. Glaciers Ain't What They Used To Be

Scads of glaciers are retreating in Glacier Bay. The dated red lines in this image show where the glaciers ended in from 1750 to the end of the 20th century, based on earlier maps and accounts by travelers. One of these was John Muir, who visited in both 1879 and 1899.
Muir was particularly struck by the changes that had occurred over his 20-year hiatus: "The Hugh Miller and Muir (glaciers) have receded about two miles in the last twenty years, the Grand Pacific about four and the Geike, Rendu, and Carroll perhaps from seven to ten miles." He reasoned that once all the glaciers flowed into one great glacier to the mouth of Glacier Bay. Subsequent studies have proven him right.

Credit: U.S. Geological Survey

Article posted April 13, 2009.

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