Grinnell Glacier, Glacier NP, 1920
First of 2 images for glacial retreat comparison. In addition to the change in the size of Grinnell Glacier, there is obvious change in the foreground stream-side vegetation between these two images. Climate change research in Glacier National Park, Montana entails many methods of documenting the landscape change, including the decline of the parks namesake glaciers. While less quantitative than other high-tech methods of recording glacial mass, depth, and rate of retreat, repeat photography has become a valuable tool for communicating effects of global warming. With evidence of worldwide glacial recession and modeled predictions that all of the parks glaciers will melt by the year 2030, USGS scientists have begun the task of documenting glacial decline through photography. The striking images created by pairing historic images with contemporary photos has given global warming a face and made climate change a relevant issue to viewers. The images are an effective visual means to help viewers understand that climate change contributes to the dynamic landscape changes so evident in Glacier National Park.
Size: 4800px × 3237px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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