
NPS/Bev Goad
Glaciers tell stories of the Earth's history; they shape the Earth's surface as they move and form valleys and mountains. Glacial ice documents weather and life from many years past. Tidewater glaciers are those that terminate in the sea. The ice that calves off these glaciers provide important habitat to ice-dependent species, such as seals.
What was the glacial extent in Alaska during the Pleistocene? Check out the Alaska PaleoGlacier Atlas.

Monitoring Glacial Dynamics
Sensitive to seasonal variation in temperature and precipitation, glaciers are excellent indicators of regional and global climate.

Monitoring Central Alaska Glaciers
Glaciers are inextricably tied to climate and the hydrological cycle, providing base flow to major rivers in Central Alaska.
Glaciers are a magnificent part of the landscape of Kenai Fjords National Park. They are responsible for carving the park's fjords, they nourish downstream ecosystems, and they provide recreational opportunities for visitors to the park. Although glaciers may appear to be permanent, unchanging features—things that change very slowly are often said to move at "a glacial pace"—glaciers are actually quite dynamic, changing in size in response to changes in their environment. How do we know that glaciers are changing in size? One method is to use photographs, taken by people on the ground or from satellites in space. By comparing photographs of the same location from different dates (repeat photography), we can monitor how glaciers change over time. Explore the new story map below to learn more.
Glacier Terminology
Ablation
the retreat and degradation of glaciersAdvance
glacier flow exceeds ablation and the terminus extends beyond its previous pointCalve
process of ice breaking off at a glacier's terminusCrevasse
a large crack in the surface of a glacier produced by the stress of glacial flowHanging
a glacier that clings to the side of a steep mountain or one that terminates at a cliffMoraine
a deposit of rock debris shaped by glacial flow and erosionTidewater Glacier
a glacier that terminates in the sea and discharges icebergs and other small pieces of iceTerminus
the lower end, or snout, of a glacierLearn more about glaciers
Last updated: July 26, 2022