Glacier monitoring in the Central Alaska Network: Protocol narrative, version 1.0

Rapid glacier changes in Alaska's national parks, driven by warming air temperatures, are being systematically monitored through the Central Alaska Network (CAKN) protocol. This long-term monitoring program, initiated in 1991, tracks mass balance, surface elevation, and boundaries of key glaciers—such as Kahiltna and Kennicott—in Denali and Wrangell-St. Elias National Parks. The protocol combines glaciological and geodetic methods with remote sensing to document seasonal and interannual changes in snow accumulation and melt, providing insights into climatic forces shaping these vital ice masses. Additionally, it extends glacier inventory efforts every decade and measures surface elevations of major glaciers every 4-6 years, building on data from Operation IceBridge since the mid-1990s. These efforts are critical for understanding impacts on park ecosystems, visitor safety, and downstream marine environments.

Loso, M. (2025). Glacier monitoring in the Central Alaska Network: Protocol narrative, version 1.0 (, Ed.). National Park Service. https://doi.org/10.36967/2308209