Alaska Glaciers: Then & Now

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By Bob Kaufman

Founder, Alaska.org

The following photos show the "then" and "now" of seven Alaska glaciers. Most of the "now" photos were taken in the past twenty years, while some of the older photos date back to the nineteenth century!

While a few of our glaciers are advancing, most are receding. Nonetheless, each glacier has maintained its beauty and prestige through the years. Check out what these seven glaciers used to look like, and what they look like today.

Lamplugh Glacier

Where: Photos are taken southwest of the glacier, in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

When: 62 years between photographs, August 1941 to September 2003

Photo credit: Then: William O. Field; Now: USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia

Bruce Molnia Glacier Photos Lamplugh Glacier View1 1941

Then: Lamplugh Glacier is within 0.5 miles of the photo, with no vegetation to be seen.

Bruce Molnia Glacier Photos Lamplugh Glacier View1 2003

Now: The glacier has actually advanced more than 0.3 miles, and there is evidence that Lamplugh had advanced beyond the photo at some point. Some isolated vegetation.

Northwestern Glacier

Where: Northwest photos taken from Harris Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park

When: 95 years between photographs, July 1909 to August 2004

Photo credit: Then: U.S. Grant; Now: USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia

Bruce Molnia Glacier Photos Northwestern Glacier View3 1940

Then: At points the terminus of the glacier was taller than 164 feet. No vegetation visible.

Bruce Molnia Glacier Photos Northwestern Glacier View3 2005

Now: The glacier has retreated out of view. The terminus in 2004 was located 6.2 miles to the northwest of its terminus 95 years before; The glacier visible to the left in the photo is Ogive Glacier, a former tributary glacier to Northwestern Glacier.

Pedersen Glacier

Where: Taken from shoreline location in Aialik Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park

When: 95 years between photographs, July 1909 to August 2004

Photo credit: Then: U.S. Grant; Now: USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia

Bruce Molnia Glacier Photos Pedersen Glacier View2 1920s

Then: The north side of the glacier can be seen grounded above tidewater. Little to no vegetation.

Bruce Molnia Glacier Photos Pedersen Glacier View2 2005

Now: The glacier retreated .93 miles, revealing a field of diverse vegetation including alder and spruce.

Holgate Glacier

Where: Taken near the head of Holgate Arm, Kenai Fjords National Park

When: 95 years between photographs, July 1909 to August 2004

Photo Credit: Then: U.S. Grant; Now: USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia

Bruce Molnia Glacier Photos Holgate Glacier View1 1909

Then: Holgate Glacier and “Little Holgate Glacier” seen to the left. “Little Holgate” terminates at the shoreline, and little vegetation can be seen.

Bruce Molnia Glacier Photos Holgate Glacier View1 2004

Now: Both glaciers retreated considerably. “Little Holgate” separated into several smaller ice masses. Holgate’s terminus retreated from view and alder are growing on the hill slopes.

Aialik Glacier

Where: Taken on the northwest shoreline of Squab Island, Kenai Fjords National Park

When: 96 years between photographs, July 1909 to August 2005

Photo credit: Then: U.S. Grant; Now: USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia

Bruce Molnia Glacier Photos Aialik Glacier View1 1909

Then: Active, calving glaciers, terminus was as tall as 131 feet high. No vegetation visible.

Bruce Molnia Glacier Photos Aialik Glacier View1 2005

Now: The glacier thinned roughly 70-160 feet, and retreated just under 1,000 feet, but remained fairly close to its 1909 position. Aialik Glacier is still a major tidewater calving glacier. Vegetation has developed on most exposed land surfaces.

Bear Glacier

Where: Aerial photos taken of Bear Glacier, in the Kenai Mountains in Kenai Fjords National Park

When: 5 years between photographs, September 2002 to August 2007

Photo credit: All photos were taken by Bruce F. Molnia

Bruce Molnia Glacier Photos Bear Glacier View1 2002

Then: The glacier can be seen retreating, and the terminus calving. Some history: Before 1950, the basin of Bear Lake was filled with Bear Glacier’s piedmont lobe - a type of glacier that develops in a relatively flat area, creating a round, bulb shaped glacier. By the latter half of the 20th century, Bear Lake had grown. Between 1984 and 2002, the lake quadrupled in size. Between 2002 and 2005, the terminus receded more than 1.9 miles.

Bruce Molnia Glacier Photos Bear Glacier View1 2007

Now: While not as dramatic as the retreat between 2002 and 2005, by 2007 the glacier was still receding. Between 2005 and 2007, the western side of the glacier retreated more than 0.25 miles.

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