Images

Sperry Glacier: circa 1930, MJ Elrod, U of M Library – 9/17/2008, L McKeon, USGS 

Repeating this photo from the same photo point was impossible since the historic photo was shot from the elevated perspective of the glacier’s surface.

Grinnell Glacier in 1910 (Elrod photo, U of M Collection) and 2016 (McKeon photo, USGS).  Retreat resulted in glacier fragmentation, so the 2016 scene shows both Grinnell Glacier, hugging the base of the cliff, and The Salamander Glacier, perched above, along the right edge of the photograph.

Shepard Glacier:  9/6/1913, WC Alden, USGS Photo Library – 8/21/2005, B. Reardon, USGS

Swiftcurrent Glacier: circa 1910, M. Elod, GNP Archives - 9/27/2016, L McKeon, USGS

During the timespan between these photos, it is evident that Swiftcurrent Glacier has retreated and wildfire has consumed a patch of trees at the base of Swiftcurrent Mountain, the broad, beige slope in the background. 

Logan and Red Eagle Glaciers: Aug. 1914, EC Stebinger, USGS Photo Library – 9/2/2009, L McKeon, USGS

These glaciers were once a continuous glacier, but became separate glaciers as retreat progressed.

Jackson Glacier: 1912, MJ Elrod, U of M Library – 9/3/2009, L McKeon, USGS

Trees and vegetation continue to establish themselves at the base of Jackson Glacier as the glacier retreats.

Grinnell and The Salamander Glaciers from the summit of Mt. Gould: 1938, TJ Hileman, GNP Archives – 9/4/2019, L McKeon, USGS

Upper Grinnell Lake has formed as the glacier has retreated.  The change in height of Grinnell Glacier along the cliff face hints at  volume loss during this timespan. 

Elk from the Jackson Elk Herd at the National Elk Refuge in the winter. Supplemental feed is provided  for the elk that winter at the refuge.

Two bull elk standing on the snow in the National Elk Refuge with their antler locked. 

Avalanche debris covers a road in Glacier National Park at Red Rock point.

A scientist takes field notes on glacier mass change after measuring an ablation stake installed on the surface of South Cascade Glacier, Washington.

Researchers taking aquatic insect samples in a high-elevation Glacier National Park stream as part of ecohydrological monitoring efforts to study the effects of climate change on aquatic species and ecosystems. 

Three researchers on the summit of Dancing Lady Mountain set up tapes and grids to complete a Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine Environments network (GLORIA) vegetation survey.

Aerial photo showing fracture line of avalanche along a snow ridge line.

Researchers evaluate vegetation during a Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine (GLORIA) alpine plant survey near the summit of Seward Mountain in Glacier National Park, Montana.

USGS scientist Tabitha Graves collects western bumble bee samples in eastern Montana. 

Researcher evaluates vegetation during a GLORIA alpine plant survey near the summit of Dancing Lady Mountain in Glacier National Park, Montana.

GLORIA sites within Glacier National Park

A botanist collects vegetation data near the summit Pitamakin Mountain in Glacier National Park, Montana.

Scientists collect alpine plant species and distribution data to complete a GLORIA site inventory on the summit of Seward Mountain, Glacier National Park, Montana.

Alpine summits often support a great variety of vegetation species despite harsh environmental conditions. Bison Mountain GLORIA plot, Glacier National Park, Montana.