Reichert Glacier Rapid Retreat, Northern Patagonia Icefield, Chile

On March 16, 2014March 16, 2014 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations5 Comments

Reichert Glacier (Reicher) is at the northwest corner of the North Patagonia Icefield (NPI) and flows west from the Mont Saint Valentin region and ends in the expanding Reicher Lake. Rivera et al (2007) notes that the glacier was named for French geologist Federico Reichert, but that Reicher has ended up as the established spelling. They further note that the glacier lost 4.2 square kilometers of area from 1979 to 2001 and had an ELA of 1330 m. The glacier has two main icefalls, one at the first bend in the glacier above the terminus at 400 m, the second at the ELA from 1100-1600 m. Davies and Glasser (2012) identify the most rapid area loss of -0.77% per year to the 1986-2001 period. The glacier retreated rapidly from 1987-1997, but the terminus was stabilized from 1997-2001, before retreating again to near the 2014 terminus by 2002.

2013 Google Earth image
Here we examine Landsat imagery from 1986, 1997 and 2014 to document the changes. The pink arrow indicates the 1987, terminus, the yellow arrow the 1998 terminus and the red arrow the 2014 terminus. In 1987 the glacier terminates close to the southern end of Reicher Lake, pink arrow. By 1998 the glacier has retreated to the yellow arrow and is terminating on the west side of Reicher Lake across the lake from the main glacier valley. By 2014 the glacier has retreated into the main glacier valley and Reicher Lake extends 8.8 km from the northeast to southwest. A new lake has developed in 2014 above the first icefall, orange arrow. This lake indicates a potential second lake basin beginning to develop in the glacier reach above the first icefall. If this is the case another rapid retreat will ensue, though not in the immediate future. The glacier retreated 6.7 km from 1987 to 2014, with 90% of the retreat occuring by 2002. Area extent loss is 8-9 square kilometers. The lower icefall is 1.5 km from the current terminus, and indicates the maximum extent of Reicher lake and the retreat that can be enhanced by calving into that lake. This glacier has followed the pattern of the neighboring Gualas Glacier just to its south. WHOI-Oceanus recently published an interesting article on this glacier. The retreat is emblematic of the entire NPI as noted by both Rivera et al (2007) and Davies and Glasser (2012) work, the latter had an excellent Figure 8 indicating two periods of fastest recession since 1870, are 1975-1986 and 2001-2011 for NPI glaciers. This retreat includes that of Steffen Glacier, Nef Glacier, and Colonia Glacier.

1987 Landsat image

1998 Landsat image

2014 Landsat image

Heaney Glacier and Cook Glacier Retreat, South Georgia Island

On March 13, 2014April 2, 2014 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations2 Comments

Heaney Glacier and Cook Glacier were merged near the terminus and reached the coast of St. Andrews Bay on the east coast of South Georgia Island in 1975. This is illustrated in a Geomorphology map of the area compiled by Chalmers Clapperton, and David Sugden produced with the support of the British Antarctic Survey, the glaciers terminates along the coastline.
Photograph of 1980 BAS map

2007 Google Earth Image

Here we use Landsat images to examine glacier change from 1989 to 2014. In 1989 Cook Glacier had retreated from the coast, and a small 200-300 m wide proglacial lake has formed at the end of the glacier, red arrow. The yellow arrow marks the 1989 terminus of Heaney Glacier in 1989 which is 800 m from the coast, pink arrow indicates 2014 terminus position. Point J marks the junction of the two glacier which is debris covered ice in 1989. The next image in 1999 indicates modest retreat of both glaciers. In 2003 Cook Glacier has retreated 500 m from the coastline, and Heaney Glacier is now 1100 m from the coast. In 2012 a small lake is developing at the front of the Heaney Glacier and the Cook Glacier proglacial lake has expanded to 700 m. In 2014 the narrow lake forming as Heaney Glacier retreat’s is now 600 m long and the glacier terminus is 1800 m from the coast, pink arrow. This is an 1000 m retreat from 1989 to 2014, 40 m/year. Point J is now fully deglaciated with Cook and Heaney Glacier being fully separated. Cook Glacier has retreated 900 m from the coast and 600-700 m since 1989. The proglacial lake, red arrow is 750 across and is still expanding as the glacier retreats. The story at this point is familiar with that of other land terminating glaciers on South Georgia Island, Konig Glacier and Purvis Glacier, with substantial accelerating retreat and lake formation at the terminus. Cook et al (2010) and Gordon et al (2008) have emphasized that this pattern is island wide with many calving glaciers having faster retreat.

1989 Landsat image

1999 Landsat image

2002 Landsat image

2012 Landsat image

2014 Landsat image

Purvis Glacier Retreat, South Georgia Island

On March 9, 2014March 13, 2014 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations1 Comment

Purvis Glacier is on the norteastern coast of the island, terminating on land near Possession Bay. The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has mapped many aspects of the island including glacier front changes. Their mapping indicated below shows that the Purvis Glacier terminus was on the coastline in 1974. Here we examine Landsat imagery from 1999 to 2014 to identify more recent changes. Cook et al (2010) quantified the change in these maps noting that 97% of the 102 coastal glacier retreated between the 1950’s and today.

BAS map of Glacier change.

Google Earth image

In 1999 the proglacial lake, red arrow, that the glacier terminated in was 300 m wide, indicating a retreat of 300-400 m since 1974. By 2002 the proglacial lake had expanded to a width of 600 m, exposing a peninsula at Point A. By 2013 the proglacial lake had expanded to 1050 m, further exposing the peninsula at Point A. By March 1, 2014 Landsat imagery indicates a retreat of 1100 m since 1974, with most of that retreat occurring since 1979. A closer look at the glacier from Google Earth highlights the issue. The glacier is fed by relatively low lying snowfields with quite limited areas above 500 m. Sugden, Clapperton and I in a 1989 paper identified the snowline a short distance from here at 400 to 450 m. As the 2011 Google Earth image indicates the remaining snowcover at the end of the melt season is minimal, too little to sustain this glacier (Pelto, 2010). Further a look at the terminus indicates the stagnant nature of the terminus region that will lead to continued retreat, blue arrows note ablation holes in the glacier that do not develop when a glacier is actively moving. The low slope and stagnant nature should preserve an excellent glacial geologic landscape.

The glacier is behaving in the same fashion as other land terminating glaciers Heaney Glacier and Konig Glacier. The retreat is less than that of calving glaciers on the island Neumayer Glacier and Ross-Hindle Glacier.

1999 Landsat image

2002 Landsat image

2013 Landsat image

2014 Landsat image

Google Earth image

Konig Glacier Retreat, South Georgia Island

On March 6, 2014 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations5 Comments

Konig Glacier is a land terminating glacier just north of the Neumayer Glacier, ending on an outwash plain in the Antarctic Bay (AB) on the northwest coast of South Georgia. In 1977 the glacier extended to within 300 m of Antarcic Bay and no proglacial lake existed (BAS map). Neumayer Glacier is a calving glacier that has retreated 4800 m from 1999 to 2014 and is dynamically connected to the Konig Glacier along its southern margin just where the glacier turns northeast. Gordon et al., (2008) observed that larger tidewater and sea-calving valley and outlet glaciers generally remained in relatively advanced positions until the 1980s. After 1980 most glaciers receded; some of these retreats have been dramatic and a number of small mountain glaciers will soon disappear. Here we examine changes in Konig Glacier from 1999 to 2014 using Landsat imagery. In 1999 the glacier ended in a proglacial lake at the red arrow, where a terminal moraine developed across the lake. A tributary glacier from the west joins the Konig Glacier near the terminus in 1999, pink arrow. At the green arrow is a small cirque-valley glacier that joins the Neumayer Glacier near the boundary with Konig Glacier. In 2003 there has been limited retreat of the main terminus since 1999 and of the west tributary at the pink arrow, the British Antarctic Survey mapping shows that the two glacier had separated by 2003. The side cirque glacier at the green arrow is still connected. By 2005 a closeup of the terminus in Google earth indicates the low slope, lack of crevasses and developing outwash plain at the terminus. The terminal moraine in the middle of the lake marking the 1993 terminus position is also evident (BAS). The retreat from this moraine by 2005 is 500m. In 2014 the glacier has retreated from to the yellow arrow, this is an 800 m retreat in 15 years from the 1999 red arrow terminus. The proglacial lake is now 1500 m across and the terminus is 2300 m from Antarctic Bay. The west gtributary at the pink arrow is fully separated. The side cirque glacier at the green arrow no longer is connected to the Konig-Neumayer Glacier. This indicates considerable thinning of the junction of these two glaciers which will result in further retreat of Konig Glacier.

1999 Landsat image

2003 Landsat image

Google earth image 2005

2014 Landsat image

Kluhor Glacier Retreat, Caucasus Mountains, Russia

On March 2, 2014March 13, 2014 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations2 Comments

Kluhor (Klukhor) Glacier is in the Caucasus Mountains west of Mount Elbrus. It drains into the Teberda River and then the Kuban River and eventually Krasnodar Reservoir and the Black Sea. The Krasnodar Reservoir is primarily a flood control and irrigation management reservoir. Here we examine three glaciers each experiencing the familiar pattern in the Caucasus Mountains of retreat with expansion of proglacial lakes. As the area and number of glacier is reduced, the number and area of alpine lakes is increasing, note Khimsa Glacier, Georgia, Psysh Glaciers, Russia, and Gora Bashkara, Russia. Stokes et al (2006) note that 94% of Caucasus Mountain glaciers retreated from 1985 to 2000 and it is clear from the aforementioned that the trends continues.

We examine Landsat imagery from 1998 and 2013 to identify the change. In each image the Kluhor Glacier terminus lake is indicated by the red arrow. The unnamed Glacier here named east Kluhor Glacier terminus lake is noted with a yellow arrow. Another unnamed glacier on Lednik Daut is identified here as north Daut Glacier is noted by pink and purple arrows. In 1998 there is small lake at the end of Upper Kluhor Glacier, 150 m long, and on east Kluhor Glacier, 50-100 m wide. At north Kluhor Glacier the glacier ends at the base of a steep icefall near a third lake, pink arrow. The purple arrow indicates the terminus of north Daut Glacier in each image. By 2013 Kluhor Glacier has retreated 300 m and the lake is 450-500 m long. The east Klhor Glacier has retreated 150 m and the lake is 250 m across. The north Daut Glacier has retreated to the top of the steep icefall slope, a 400 m retreat and is now quite distant from the lake below.

The 2007 Google Earth image of Kluhor Glacier there are a number of crevasses paralell to the ice front, indicating that some calving losses will continue to occur. The glacier overall extends from 2950 m to 3250 m, is narrow and has limited snowcover in both satellite images. The snowcover extent in the August satellite images, well before the end of the melt season is 30%, whereas typically 55-65% is necessary to sustain a glacier. In the 2007 Google Earth imagery the thin nature of the icefall at north Daut Glacier is evident, that has since melted away.

1998 Landsat image

2013 Landsat image

2007 Google Earth image of Kluhor Glacier

2007 Google earth image north Kluhor Glacier

Khimsa Glacier Retreat, Georgia

On February 27, 2014March 2, 2014 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations3 Comments

Khimsa Glacier is a rare significant glacier south of the main crest of the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia. The glacier drains north to the Bzyb River, and then the Black Sea. The rivers upper reach is quite undeveloped and there is no hydropower along the river to date. The glacier flows from an elevation of 3000 m to 2650 m. In 1998 the glacier was 1.6 km long with a narrow terminus at the red arrow. At the transition to the glacier’s upper eastern slopes at Point A, there is only one small rock exposure. By 2013 the glacier has retreated 400 m to the yellow arrow, having lost 25% of its length in 15 years. The area of bedrock exposed on the upper eastern slope, at Point A, is significant now indicating thinning even high on the glacier. The glacier will soon separate near Point A into an upper and a lower section. In the Google Earth image the current terminus is indicated with orange dots and the glacier flow with blue arrows. Like Psysh Mountain glaciers 25 km north Khimsa Glacier thinning high on the glacier indicates it cannot survive current climate. Caucasus Mountain glaciers are in a period of rapid retreat (Shagedenova et al, 2009), that is attributed mainly to rising summer temperatures. Khimsa Glacier’s retreat parallels that of glaciers along the main crest of the Caucasus such as Kirtisho or Azau Glacier, though as a percent of total area lost it is greater.

1998 Landsat image

2013 Landsat image

2010 Google Earth image

Psysh Glacier Retreat, Western Caucasus, Russia

On February 23, 2014March 13, 2014 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations2 Comments

Psysh Mountain is in the western Caucasus just north of the Georgia-Russia border. This is the western most significant glacier complex in the Caucasus, here we focus on a glacier flowing east from the mountain and another on the north side. The east flowing glacier drains into the Psysh Valley and then to Arkhyz, while the north flowing glacier drains into the Zagedan River. The Caucasus region has been experiencing widespread significant retreat (Shahgedanova et al 2009), with average retreat of 8 m per year due in large part to increased summer temperatures. The larger glaciers of Mount Elbrus tend to garner most of the attention, but the retreat is widespread. This region has been an area of increased proglacial lake formation as well Stokes et al (2007). Psysh Mountain is 115 km east of Sochi, Russia. The glaciers mean elevation is 3000 m, more than 1000 m above the higher elevations of the Sochi Olympic skiing venues.

Here we examine the glacier retreat in Landsat imagery from 1998 to 2013. In 1998 the two glaciers of interest on the mountain ended in incipient proglacial lakes, less than 100 m across, yellow and red arrow. By 2013 the lake at the red arrow has expanded to a length of 400 m that the east flowing glacier ends in. The lake at the terminus of the north flowing glacier is now 350 m long. This indicates a retreat of 300 m for both glaciers. The pink arrow indicates the expansion of bedrock in the midst of the north flowing glacier. In the Google Earth image the most striking feature is how little of the glacier is above the snowline. In each image the snowline is indicated with pink dots. It is evident that neither glacier has a persistent significant accumulation area. These glaciers cannot survive without a persistent significant accumulation zone (Pelto, 2010). The blue arrow in the Google Earth image indicates an icefall in the east flowing glacier. Below the icefall the glacier has a low slope and is stagnant. This basin’s extent suggests the lake can expand another 1 km. The retreat of this glacier is similar to that of Gora Bashkara Glacier and Lednik Karugom.

1998 Landsat image

2013 Landsat image

2012 Google Earth Image

Pacific Northwest Glacier Mass Balance 2013

On February 20, 2014February 21, 2014 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations

North Cascades Climate Conditions:
The 2013 winter accumulation season featured 93% of mean (1984-2013) winter snow accumulation at the long term USDA Snotel stations in the North Cascades, Washington (Figure 1). The melt season was exceptional by several measures. The mean summer temperature from June-September and July-September at Lyman Lake is tied with the highest for the 1989-2013 period (Figure 2). The average minimum temperature at Lyman Lake was the highest since 1989 for the July-September period, and tied with the highest for the June-September period (Figure 3). SeaTac airport minimums were high as well indicating the regional nature.

Mean Summer temperature at Lyman Lake, WA

Mean minimum summer temperature at Lyman Lake, WA

Glacier Mass Balance:
Snow depth was measured at a 30 m spacing across the entire glacier on August 4th. The position of the snowline indicates the location where snow depth is zero. Assessment of stakes emplaced in the glacier from Aug. 3-20 indicates mean ablation during the period of 7.8 cm/day. Assessment of ablation from remapping of the snowline on Sept. 1 indicates mean ablation of 7.5 cm/day during the August 4th-Sept. 1st period. A preliminary map of Sholes Glacier mass balance for Aug. 8th is seen below (Figure 6). The contours are in meters of water equivalent, which is the amount of water thickness that would be generated if the snow or ice was melted. Note the similarity of the 1.75 m contour and the Sept,. 12th snowline.The best measure of ablation over the period from August 4th to Sept. 12th is the shift in the snowline, as identified in satellite imagery (Figure 7 and 8). The snow depth at a particular location of the snowline on Sept. 12th indicates the snow ablation since August 4th. Observations of the snowline margin on Aug. 20, Sept. 1 and Sept. 12 indicated mean ablation of 7.4 cm per day from Aug. 4th to Sept. 12th.

Figure 4 Comparison of snowpack on Sholes Glacier on August 4th and September 1st, 2013

Figure 5. Sholes Glacier snow depth measurement network

Figure 6. Snow depth distribution in snow water equivalent on Sholes Glacier on Aug. 8th, 2013.

Figure 7 August 4th satellite image showing snowline on Sholes Glacier from Landsat imagery.

Figure 8. September 12 snowline on Sholes Glacier from Landsat imagery

Snow depth observations on Easton Glacier on the bench below the main icefall at 2000 m, yielded an average depth of 3.1 m on Aug. 10th. The bench was completely snowcovered on Aug. 10th. GPS measurements of the snowline on Sept. 15th indicate ablation of 2.75 m since Aug. 10th. This is an ablation rate of 7.6 cm of snow melt per day. This is 0.2 cm/day higher than Sholes Glacier. The time period is not identical either. The southern orientation of Easton Glacier typically leads to higher ablation rates at specific elevations than on Sholes Glacier. Satellite observations of the change in snowline position compared to snow depth observations from Aug. 4th to Sept 12th indicate mean ablation of 7.2-8.0 cm/day.

On the four Mount Baker glaciers a total of 380 snow depth measurements were made on (Figure 9). The initial mass balance assessment is -0.78 m on Columbia Glacier. -1.58 m on Easton Glacier, -0.5 m on Foss Glacier, -0.76 m Ice Worm, -0.85 m on Lower Curtis Glacier, -0.40 m Lynch Glacier, -1.85 m on Rainbow Glacier, -1.7 m on Sholes Glacier and -1.15 m on Yawning Glacier.
Figure 9 Snow depth in crevasse on Easton Glacier.

Figure 10 Mass balance map for Columbia Glacier in meters of water equivalent.

On the Juneau Icefield in southeast Alaska the ablation season was warmer and longer than normal. The result was snowlines rising above average at Lemon Creek and Taku Glacier, where the Juneau Icefield Research Program measures mass balance. For Taku Glacier the ELA was 1050 m, 75 m above an equilibrium snowline, and 1115 m, 100 m above an equilibrium snowline for Lemon Creek Glacier. The final mass balance for these glaciers will be in the -0.5 to -1.0 m range for both. Further north the USGS reports preliminary results, from there two Alaskan benchmark glaciers, which indicate that Gulkana Glacier in the Alaska Range, mass balance was the 5th most negative year. At Wolverine Glacier in the Kenai Mountains mass balance will likely be the most negative on record. In British Columbia both the Helm Glacier and Place Glacier are observed annually for mass balance. On Sept 12, 2013 Landsat imagery indicates limited remaining snowcover on both of these glaciers. The snowline is at 2050 m on Helm Glacier and 2300 m on Place Glacier, red arrows. The snowcovered area is less than 20% on Helm Glacier and 30% on Place Glacier, which will lead to large negative mass balances (Figure 11 and 12). Hence, all 16 glaciers examined here will have significant negative mass balances in 2013.

Figure 11. Landsat image indicating the snowline on Sept. 24, 2013 on Lemon Creek and Taku Glacier.

Figure 12 Helm Glacier in Landsat imagery 9-12-2013

Figure 13 Place Glacier in Landsat imagery 9-12-2013

West Hoboe Glacier Retreat, British Columbia

On February 13, 2014February 13, 2014 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations1 Comment

On the east margin of the Juneau Icefield is a small, compared to other glaciers, 7 km long unnamed valley glacier, here identified as West Hoboe Glacier. Here we use Landsat imagery to identify changes from 1984 to 2013. This glacier is just east of the retreating Hoboe Glacier and Llewellyn Glacier. The glacier flows from 2000 m down to 1250 m and drains into Atlin Lake at the headwaters of the Yukon River. In 2014 the Juneau Icefield research Program is planning to complete field measurements on this glacier for the first time.
Google Earth Image

West Hoboe Glacier is in background of image from the Toby Dittrich led expedition to Mount Service in 2013.

In 1984 West Hoboe Glacier ended at the red arrow below a small cirque glacier south of the glacier. In each image the arrow and letters are in the same location, the pink arrow indicates the 2013 terminus position. Point A indicates a small ice filled basin connected to the West Hoboe Glacier in 1984. The green arrow indicates the junction of the two main arms of the glacier, which has a width of 1100 m. Point B and C are bedrock outcrops in the upper portion of the glacier. By 1993 the glacier has retreated a short distance from the 1984 terminus position, red arrow. By 2004 the glacier has continued to retreat from the 1984 position, red arrow, the tributary glacier junction, green arrow, has been reduced to 900 m. At Point A there is no longer ice in the basin. At Point B the bedrock outcrop exposure has expanded. Both indicate glacier thinning. In 2004 and 2009 snowcover is limited on the glacier. In 2013 a pair of Landsat images, August 1, 2013 and September 2, 2013 indicate that the glacier has retreated 850 m from 1984-2013, now ending at the base of a narrow landslide prone gully. The connection at the green arrow is 800 m, a 300 m reduction in width since 1984. The thinning of the glacier has led to bedrock expansion at Point B and C, this is a 12% reduction in total length. At Point A the separation between the basin and the glacier indicates both marginal retreat and thinning of the glacier. Notice that 70% of the glacier in early September has lost its snowcover. The thinning even at the top of this glacier indicates it will not survive current climate.

1984 Landsat image

1993 Landsat image

2004 Landsat image

2009 Landsat image

8-1-2013 Landsat image

9-2-2013 Landsat image

White River Glacier Disequilibrium Retreat, Washington

On February 5, 2014March 13, 2014 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations1 Comment

White River Glacier in the North Cascades of Washington is on the southeast flank of Glacier Peak. From 1955-1967 White River Glacier had a stable though thinning terminus. In 1967 the glacier descended from the summit area of Kololo Peak separating into two terminus tongues ending in two basins. In both basins the glacier terminus filled the basins and flowed a short distance beyond the basins. During my first visit to the glacier in 1988 there was the fringe of a new lake for both the northern and southern arm of the glacier at the yellow and red arrow respectively, with retreat of both termini into the basin, 60 m of retreat. The southern terminus is fed by an icefall green arrow.
1967 Image from Austin Post (USGS)

1988 image

By 1995 when we returned the northern branch of the glacier, red arrow, had developed a lake that was 150 m across, and the terminus was in contact with the lake. The southern basin was still mostly ice filled, with 60 m of open water at the southeast corner. In 2002 we revisited the glacier the northern basin terminus had retreated 20 m from the lake. The southern basin was still filled with glacier ice, but this ice was now flat and floating in the water. There were numerous water filled cracks. The lake was 265 m across. By 2002 the terminus had retreated out of the southern lake basin ending at the base of the icefall slope. The lake is evident even with its floating glacier ice cover. In 2006 and 2009 Google Earth imagery the retreat of the southern terminus up the icefall slope is evident. In 2013 there is still floating glacier ice in the southern lake basin, image from Stefan Feller. The glacier retreat of the northern terminus from 1967-2013 has been 370 m, the southern terminus 450 m. The main issue for this glacier is that the upper part loses snowcover during many years. This means the glacier is having a disequilibrium response to climate and will not survive (Pelto and Hedlund, 2001). Thinning and retreat of the upper glacier indicates the lack of a persistent accumulation zone, hence the glacier cannot survive our greenhouse warmed climate, leaving mother nature less than pleased.
Mother Nature sketch from Megan Pelt-Savannah College of Art and Design

(Pelto, 2010). This glacier’s retreat paralells that of two adjacent glaciers Honeycomb and Whitechuck , but is greater than on adjacent Suiattle Glacier

1995 view of northern terminus from 1967 terminus location

2002 glacier view with southern terminus

2006 Google Earth image

2009 Google Earth image

2013 image from

Mid-Point Accumulation Season for Glaciers Sierra Nevada to North Cascades to Alaska

On February 2, 2014February 2, 2014 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations3 Comments

Winter is halfway done in terms of the accumulation season for glaciers in the Sierra Nevada-Cascades of Northern California to the Coast Range of Southern Alaska. The entire region has experienced a warm winter, with dryness most pronounced in California. This has been caused by a persistent blocking ridge along or just offshore of the west coast. The feature may disappear for a few days, but always has rebuilt.

Image from GeoEnviromental Atmosphere

To the south the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada is 20% of normal and the lowest seen. Pictures like that of the Mount Shasta ski park look more like June 1 than February 1.

Mount Shasta Snow Park webcam images from Feb. 1 looking toward Mount Shasta, above and below.

In the North Cascades of Washington where we have measured glacier mass balance every year for 30 years, the snowpack is better, but as seen in the comparison of snowpack at two USDA Snotel stations at Stevens Pass and Lyman Lake, snowpack is near the record low of the last 30 years. At the Snoqulamie Summit ski areas 70% of the terrain is open, but all nordic trails are closed due to lack of snow.

The result hikers heading into one of the glaciers we work at on Mt. Shuksan experienced late January snowpack the same as we saw in August of 2011 the best snow year since 2000. January 2014 pictures below are from Chad Straub posted at jebsjourneys.com, while the August 2011 images I took. Locations of images are along same trail in quite close proximity. Snow depth and snow water equivalent are 50% of normal. However, the deficit is 20 inches of water equivalent, which is an amount that just cannot be erased even by a wet late winter. The deficit increases at lower elevations as the view across Baker Lake from an elevation of 2500 feet in the Mountain Hemlock zone indicates, marginal snow until 3500 feet, last picture in gallery.

In the Vancouver area Grouse Mountain and Cypress Mountain ski areas have had just over 100 inches of snow, well below average. Further north into Alaska we have heard how warm it has been even to Nome. On Monday, January 27, the mercury in Nome hit 51°F under sunny and clear skies. With this astoundingly high temperature, Nome not only set the all-time high temperature record for any day in January since weather data keeping began in Nome in 1907, but also tied with a five-month high temperature record held on November 1, 1926 (Diana Haecker, Nome Nugget). However, it has not been as dry as storms have been diverted in north around the blocking ridge that has kept the west coast dry. Snowpack around Juneau, Alaska is low at the base of Eaglecrest ski area, leading to closure of the lower nordic loop, but not at the summit where the depth is 124 inches. At Alyeska Ski area near Anchorage the 295 inches of snow this year is good, but the warm temperatures have left only 2 inches at the base and a number of closed runs. This will lead to limited snowpack low on glaciers, but snowpack may be adequate higher on the glaciers. On Feb. 1 the snowline is evident on the two largest glaciers in Alaska, Malaspina and Bering Glacier (black arrows) in MODIS imagery at 600 m. My first year working on glaciers in 1981 was a warm low snow year in Juneau, but at 6000 feet on the Juneau Icefield snowpack was above average. It is evident from the Vancouver area south to the Sierra Nevada 2014 will not be a good year for glaciers, north from Vancouver it is not as clear yet.

North Alsek Glacier Retreat-Lake Formation, Alaska

On January 30, 2014 By mspeltoIn Glacier Observations1 Comment

The Alsek Glacier is a large glacier draining into Alsek Lake and the Alsek River. The first glacier upriver of Alsek Glacier flowing from the east and ending on the Alsek River valley floor is an unnamed glacier, here named North Alsek Glacier. The USGS topographic map compiled from a 1958 aerial image indicates a piedmont lobe spread out on the Alsek River lowland, without a lake, and a series of moraine ridges between the glacier terminus and the Alsek River. This glacier drains a series of peaks of 2000 m in elevation and drains directly west toward the Alsek River, blue arrows indicate glacier flow.

USGS map indicating no lake at end of glacier.

Here we examine Landsat imagery to identify the change in terminus position of the glacier from 1984-2013. In 1984 a small lake has developed along the north shore of the lake that is 1000 m by 500 m. The glacier has retreated to a newly exposed knob, possilby and island, at the red arrow. The red arrow in each image indicates the location of this knob, the yellow arrow indicates the 2013 terminus location on the south side of the glacier near the end of a peninsula. There is no lake downglacier of the yellow arrow in 1984. By 2011 the glacier retreat has led to development of a substantial lake that is 2.5 km north to south and 1.1 to 1.5 km side from east to west. In 2013 the central tongue of the glacier has continued to thin and breakup. The northern margin has retreated 2300 m from 1958 to 2013, the central margin 1500 m and the southern margin 1400 m. The majority of the retreat at the northern margin occurred between 1958-1984, while nearly all the retreat occurred after 1984 for the central and southern portion of the glacier. The glacier will continue to retreat out of the lake basin. The retreat has been nearly identical to nearby Walker Glacier that also had a piedmont lobe, but less than the nearby East Novatak Glacier and Yakutat Glacier.

1984 Landsat image