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Columbia Glacier, Alaska
Columbia Glacier in 1938 (photograph by Brad Washburn).
Similar view of Columbia Glacier as seen
with Google Earth
(If you have Google Earth, load this view
here). |
Introduction
Columbia Glacier is a large (1,100
square kilometers), multi-branched calving glacier in south
central Alaska that flows mostly south out of the Chugach
Mountains to its tidewater termination in Prince William Sound.
Prior to 1980, it had a long history of stability, with a length
of 66 kilometers (41 miles), and small, short-lived advances or
retreats. From 1957–74, the lower ablation area maintained its
altitude within a few meters, which suggests that the glacier
was in climatic equilibrium for at least 2 decades. During the
early part of the 1980 decade, it began a rapid retreat.
By 1995, it was only about 57 kilometers long and by late 2000,
about 54 kilometers long with no indication that the retreat
would stop soon. Though perhaps triggered by climate
fluctuations, this major glacier retreat once initiated, has
progressed due to the nature of the calving glacier cycle with
little concern for the climate.
Online Reports
Krimmel, R.M., 1996, Columbia Glacier, Alaska Research on Tidewater
Glaciers: U.S. Geological
Survey Fact Sheet 091-96, 4 p. [Abstract and
full report]
Krimmel, R.M., 2001, Photogrammetric Data Set, 1957-2000 and Bathymetric
Measurements for Columbia Glacier, Alaska: U.S. Geological
Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 01-4089, 46 p. [Abstract, full report,
and data files from CD]
Molnia, B.F., 2008, Glaciers of North America
-- Glaciers of Alaska, in Williams, R.S., Jr., and Ferrigno,
J.G., eds., Satellite image atlas of glaciers of the world: U.S.
Geological Survey Professional Paper 1386-K, 525 p. [Description
and full report]
Numerous online USGS reports on Columbia
Glacier can be obtained through the
USGS Publications Warehouse. This link automatically
searches the database for "Columbia Glacier" and returns the
result, about 30 papers.
Photos and Maps
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Columbia Glacier, Alaska from WRIR 01-4089.
[Broad arrows show approximate direction of flow, numerals
near solid circles (L points) indicate the distance from
head of glacier along the centerline, in kilometers.] Click
map or here for enlargement |
1899 Harriman
Expedition:
Columbia Glacier, 1899. By Gilbert Thompson. Source:
National Archives. Click map or
here for enlargement. (Link to
PBS's Harriman Expedition historic maps) |
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Links
INSTAAR Glaciology Group
Columbia
Glacier Kinematics and Dynamics
Photos of Columbia Glacier
NSIDC Photo Collection Search (lots of old photos from 1899
to 1969) (hint, search by name Columbia)
Tarr, R.S. and Martin, L., 1914, Alaskan Glacier Studies of the
National Geographic Society in the Yakutat Bay, Prince William
Sound and Lower Copper River Regions, The National Geographic
Society, 498 p. [Full
book in pdf or through
Google Books]
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Maintainer: Rod
March
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Last update:
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 04:58 PM
URL: http://ak.water.usgs.gov/glaciology/columbia/
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