Activity 2.2- hydrosphere: Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska

Activity 2.2 – Hydrosphere: Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska

Original Photo 2007


File:Mendenhall Glacier 2007 731.jpg - Wikimedia Commons 

(notice the two people walking in the snow 2007)

 

Second Photo

2015—Mendenhall Glacier – In Focus Daily

(2015)

 

Google Earth View

Map of Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau, AK 99801(Google Maps, 2025)

 

Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska, between 2007 and 2015

According to Mutiti et al. (2018), glaciers are an essential component of the cryosphere, the frozen water part of the Earth system.
Problem

Over the past century, Mendenhall Glacier, near Juneau, in south east Alaska, has been significantly retreating. In addition to changing the local environment, this retreat acts as a clear sign of larger climate shifts. Comprehending the magnitude and consequences of this glacial recession is essential to understanding how climate change affects cryospheric habitats.

Explanation

The distance of Mendenhall Glacier from the Juneau Icefield to Mendenhall Lake is roughly 13.6 miles. The Tlingit names Sitaantaagu ("the Glacier Behind the Town") and "the Glacier Behind the Little Lake" were its historical names. It was called in 1892 to honor Thomas Corwin Mendenhall, a notable figure in American science. britannica.com

The speed of glacier retreat has accelerated during the last few decades. A study by the Extreme Ice Survey from May 2007 to August 2011 showed that the bulk of the glacier at its terminus has decreased. woostergeologists.scotblogs.wooster.edu

In order to track glacial changes, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has also used repeat photography. Scientists can visually evaluate the amount of glacial retreat by contrasting old and new photos. This approach offers strong proof of glaciers' dynamic behavior in response to weather conditions.usgs.gov

There are various ramifications to Mendenhall Glacier's retreat. New habitats emerge as a result of the glacier's retreat, which exposes new land. But it also raises sea levels and can change local hydrology, which can impact local communities' access to water resources. Furthermore, the creation of glacial lakes like Suicide Basin increases the possibility of outburst floods, which have in the past seriously damaged the Juneau region. reuters.com

References

Mutiti, S., Mutiti, C., Manoylov, K., VandeVoort, A., & Bennett, D. (2018). Introduction to environmental science (3rd ed.). Biological Science Open Textbooks. University System of Georgia.

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