Glacier changes in Glacier Bay, Alaska, during 2000–2012

Between 2000 and 2012, three major glaciers in Glacier Bay—Fairweather, Lituya, and Desolation—lost 1.5 to 7.7 meters in elevation while their snowlines rose by 120–289 meters, signaling accelerated retreat driven primarily by rising temperatures despite increased precipitation. In contrast, Cascade and Crillon glaciers gained ice thickness (0.65–7 meters) due to thicker debris cover, which moderated their response to climate change. The study used Landsat imagery and radar-based elevation models to quantify surface area changes (2.2–2.6% loss for Fairweather and Desolation), snow accumulation ratios, and dynamic shifts, highlighting how local conditions like debris cover can alter glacier behavior amid global warming.

Alifu, H., Tateishi, R., Nduati, E., & Maitiniyazi, A. (2016). Glacier changes in Glacier Bay, Alaska, during 2000–2012. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 37(17), 4132–4147. https://doi.org/10.1080/01431161.2016.1207267