Grinnell Glacier, 1938 - 2019, Glacier National Park

Like glaciers around the world, the glaciers of Glacier National Park (GNP) are retreating in response to warming climate.  Area change data, derived from analysis of satellite and aerial imagery is another way photography is used to document glacier change. These data reveal that glaciers in GNP have responded by decreasing 9% - 90% of their largest area at the end of the Little Ice Age (around1850).  Teachers can guide middle and high school students to work with USGS repeat photography and area change data to evaluate glacier change themselves with the Evaluating Glacier and Landscape Change Lesson Plan available on the USGS Youth and Education in Science webpage.

Learn More:  Retreat of Glaciers in Glacier National Park,  Melting Glaciers