Park and Preserve. Scientists work with the park rangers in the park and preserve
hoping to learn how glacial activity relates to climate change (Fig. 1.7).
Scientists who observe earth’s climate change have documented warming temperatures around the world (31–32). Of the more than 100,000 glaciers in Alaska,
USA, 95% are currently thinning, stagnating, or retreating, and Glacier Bay’s
glaciers follow this trend. The combination of wind, tidal fluctuation, and moderate
maritime temperatures keeps the Glacier Bay’s seawater from freezing over. Much
of the Glacier Bay water is over 1000 feet deep [32].
Tidewater glaciers shown in Fig. 1.6 are being eaten away on both ends as global
warming worsens, suggesting faster sea level rise and ice melt that can alter ocean
ecosystems [31]. Until now, scientists had limited understanding of what happens
under the water at the point where land-based glaciers meet the seawater. Using a
combination of radar, sonar and time-lapse photography, a team of scientists
Fig. 1.5 Most of the visitors arrive at Glacier Bay via cruise ships from the 1890s to the present
time. (July 2019; Golden Princess cruise ship; USA)
Fig. 1.6 Tidewater glacier of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, USA. (Credit: LK
Wang, MHS Wang)
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L. K. Wang et al.
hoping to learn how glacial activity relates to climate change (Fig. 1.7).
Scientists who observe earth’s climate change have documented warming temperatures around the world (31–32). Of the more than 100,000 glaciers in Alaska,
USA, 95% are currently thinning, stagnating, or retreating, and Glacier Bay’s
glaciers follow this trend. The combination of wind, tidal fluctuation, and moderate
maritime temperatures keeps the Glacier Bay’s seawater from freezing over. Much
of the Glacier Bay water is over 1000 feet deep [32].
Tidewater glaciers shown in Fig. 1.6 are being eaten away on both ends as global
warming worsens, suggesting faster sea level rise and ice melt that can alter ocean
ecosystems [31]. Until now, scientists had limited understanding of what happens
under the water at the point where land-based glaciers meet the seawater. Using a
combination of radar, sonar and time-lapse photography, a team of scientists
Fig. 1.5 Most of the visitors arrive at Glacier Bay via cruise ships from the 1890s to the present
time. (July 2019; Golden Princess cruise ship; USA)
Fig. 1.6 Tidewater glacier of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, USA. (Credit: LK
Wang, MHS Wang)
16
L. K. Wang et al.