Research»

Repeat Glacier Photography

at Kenai Fjords

Much of the rugged beauty of Kenai Fjords National park is the result of glacier activity. Glaciers still spill down to tidewater today, but it is clear that the extent of many of the glaciers has diminished in recent years. How widespread is the retreat of glaciers in Kenai Fjords National park? Can monitoring these glaciers tell us anything about global climate change?

The OASLC, in partnership with Kenai Fjords National Park and the U.S. Geological Survey, has helped sponsor an ongoing, multi-year study of the glaciers of Kenai Fjords National Park. The last two years have focused on recreating historic photos of the glaciers in order to compare and document a century of change in ice cover and thickness. The project will now shift its focus to a more detailed look at specific tidewater glaciers in Kenai Fjords by documenting current terminus positions and behavior, character of the ice marginal environment, and composition and age of vegetation near the ice margin.

Use the links on the right to explore this project in more detail.