Grinnell Glacier, Glacier NP, 1887
First of 2 images for glacial retreat comparison. Among the earliest photos of Grinnell Glacier, this 1887 image shows the Immense extent and depth of the glacier at the turn of the 20th century. The glacier has responded to temperature and precipitation in the past 100 years, resulting in it's obvious reduction in size. 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 × 2727px
Photo credit: © Photo Researchers / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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