Long Term Trends
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After passing through a short period of glacial stability in late 1990’s (Figure 16), it appears our glaciers have resumed a negative long-term trend. Along with research from Portland State University, we used 1998 aerial photos of the park to re-inventory all of the glaciers. This effort revealed a 13% decline in glacier area since the 1971 Post inventory. By mapping the maximum extent of all glaciers as identified by moraines, we estimate that glacier area has declined ~40% in the past 150 years.
Figure 16 - Cumulative Balance of NOCA Glaciers
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Did You Know?
North Cascades NPSC has over 300 glaciers, more than any other park in the lower 48 states. More than half the glaciers in the 48 states are concentrated in this mountainous wilderness region called the North Cascades.