Photos From the Same Locations Compare Glaciers From 100 Years Ago

Repeat photography is a technique in which a historical photograph and a modern photograph, both having the same field of view, are compared and contrasted to quantitatively and qualitatively determine their similarities and differences.

The following sections depict how this technique was used at a number of locations in Alaska, including Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Kenai Fjords National Park, and the northwestern Prince William Sound area of the Chugach National Forest, to document and understand changes to glaciers and landscapes as a result of changing climate.

Through analysis and interpretation of these photographic pairs, information is extracted to document Alaskan landscape evolution and glacier dynamics for the last century-and-a-quarter on local and regional scales and the response of the Alaskan landscape to retreating glacier ice.

Muir Inlet, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska

The 1892 photograph shows the more than 100-meter (328-feet) high, more than 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) wide tidewater terminus of the glacier with a face capped by angular séracs. Some icebergs, evidence of recent calving, can be seen floating in Muir Inlet. The mountain located right-of-center is Mount Wright. Mount Case is in the background. Note the absence of vegetation. (H. F. Reid photograph, muir1892_417, courtesy of National Snow and Ice Data Center).

In the 2005 photograph, Muir Glacier is no longer visible, as it has retreated more than 50 kilometers (31 miles). During the interval between photographs, Muir Glacier ceased to have a tidewater terminus. Note the lack of floating ice and the abundant vegetation on many slopes throughout the photograph. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

The early photograph, ca. 1880s – 1890s, shows the more than 100-meters (328-feet) -high tidewater terminus of the glacier with a face capped by angular séracs. Numerous icebergs, some more than 2 meters (6.6 feet) in diameter are grounded on the tidal flat in the fore- and middle-ground of the photograph. The tidal flat is probably ice cored, underlain by glacier ice. The tides in this area are greater than 3 m (9.9 feet). A photographer and seven tourists are exploring the icebergs. (G. D. Hazard, 7807, courtesy of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve Archive).

By the date of the 2005 photograph, Muir Glacier has retreated more than 50 kilometers (31 miles) and is completely out of the field of view. The glacier in the distance to the right center of the photograph is Riggs Glacier. Formerly a tributary to Muir Glacier, it is approximately 40 kilometers (26 miles) from the late-19th century photo point and about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from Muir Glacier. The beach in the foreground is covered by a cobble and pebble lag deposit, which was winnowed from sediment that was deposited by Muir Glacier and by melting grounded icebergs. Many of the cobbles are covered by barnacles. Note the abundant vegetation on the west side of the inlet. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

The late-19th century photograph, actually a postcard, shows the approximately 100-meters (328-feet)-high tidewater terminus of the glacier with a face capped by angular séracs. The eastern part of Muir Glacier’s terminus is composed of ice contributed by Adams Glacier, flowing out of what is now Adams Inlet, located in the gap between the essentially-snow-free mountains in the center of the picture. Numerous icebergs, some more than 5 meters (16 feet) in diameter, are grounded in the shallow water in the foreground of the photograph. Photographs used on many late-19th and early 20th-century postcards, including this one, were airbrushed to simplify the complex topography of the image’s mountains. No vegetation is visible. (L.V. Winter and P. E. Pond, postcard # C141 in the personal collection of the author).

In the roughly 105-110 years between photographs, Muir Glacier has retreated more than 50 kilometers (31 miles) and is completely out of the field of view. The angular rocks in the foreground are part of a cobble lag deposit winnowed from sediment previously deposited by Muir Glacier and by melting grounded icebergs. Note the abundant vegetation on the near-ground slopes on the east side of Muir Inlet and in the lower part of Adams Inlet. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

The 1895 photograph by Juneau, Alaska-based commercial photographers Lloyd V. Winter and Percy E. Pond shows the area adjacent the retreating terminus of Muir Glacier, which is located about 0.4 kilometers (0.25 miles) to the north (right). No vegetation is visible (Alaska State Library Photograph by Winter and Pond).

The 2004 photograph documents the appearance of diverse, dense vegetation that has developed on all but vertical surfaces. Calcareous organisms have populated the Intertidal zone and are attached to most of the glacier beach cobbles. Muir Glacier has retreated more than 40 kilometers (25 miles) to the north. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

The 1899 photograph by Grove Karl Gilbert shows the calving terminus of Muir Glacier extending almost to the photo point and the absence of any identifiable vegetation (USGS Photo Library Photograph - Gilbert 276).

The 2003 photograph documents the disappearance of Muir Glacier from the field of view. The distant glacier at the extreme right is Rigs Glacier, more than 30 kilometers (20 miles) to the north. Since 1899, Muir Glacier retreated more than 40 kilometers (25 miles). Note the extensive vegetation that has developed. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

The 1899 photograph by Grove Karl Gilbert shows the calving terminus of Muir Glacier, near its confluence with Adams Glacier. No vegetation is visible (USGS Photo Library Photograph - Gilbert 278).

The 2003 photograph documents the disappearance of Muir and Adams Glaciers from the field of view. Muir Glacier has retreated more than 40 kilometers (25 miles) to the north. Note the extensive vegetation that has developed. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

Reid Inlet, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska

The 1899 photograph is taken towards the northwest and shows the approximately 60-meter (197-foot)-high tidewater terminus of the then retreating Reid Glacier. The glacier terminus is adjacent to the mouth of Reid Inlet. The hillside in the foreground is covered by a few centimeters (few inches) of snow. No trees are present on the hillside or on any other surface in the field of view. A few icebergs of various sizes are floating in the water in front of the glacier. A large block of grounded glacier ice is located adjacent to the snow-covered slope in the left middle-ground of the photograph. It appears to have recently separated from the body of the retreating glacier and is stranded adjacent to the shoreline of the inlet. The concentric ripples suggest that a large calving event has recently occurred at the terminus to the right of the stranded ice. (G. K. Gilbert, 258, courtesy of the USGS Photographic Library).

In the 104 years between photographs, Reid Glacier has retreated about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) and is just visible at the head of the fiord on the left side of the field of view. The hillside in the foreground is covered with dense vegetation, including both conifers and deciduous trees. Vegetation, predominantly alder, covers much of the lower slopes on the opposite side of the inlet. Nearly all of the trees are rooted in glacier till. Species present include Alnus (alder), Salix (willow), and Populus (cottonwood). The spit in the foreground is part of the recessional moraine deposited by Reid Glacier when it sat at the mouth of its fiord during the early 20th century. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

The 1924 photograph shows the approximately 50-meter (164 foot)-high tidewater terminus of the then retreating Reid Glacier. The terminus of the glacier spans the width of Reid Inlet. In the 25-year period between 1899 and 1924, Reid Glacier retreated about 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles) from the mouth of Reid Inlet. If vegetation is present, it cannot be seen on this photograph. A few icebergs of various sizes are floating in the inlet. (A. H. Brooks, 1299, courtesy of the USGS Photographic Library).

The 2003 photograph shows the terminus of Reid Glacier has retreated a few hundred meters. Note the reduction in the number and size of icebergs floating in the inlet. Many boulders on the recessional moraine spit in the foreground are now covered by marine algae. The algae’s chance of survival has increased as the number of icebergs that could scour it from the surface of these lag boulders has decreased. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

Lamplugh Glacier

The 1941 photograph by William O. Field shows the calving terminus of Lamplugh Glacier extending to within (0.8 kilometers) 0.5 miles of the photo point (Field photograph # 430-41). No vegetation is visible.

The 2003 photograph shows that the terminus of Lamplugh Glacier is more than 0.5 kilometers (0.3 miles) forward of its 1941 position. Additionally, glacial sediment on the bedrock ridge in the foreground indicates that Lamplugh Glacier had advanced beyond the photo point at some time during the interval between photographs, probably in the late -1960s. Note the isolated vegetation. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

Triangle Island, Queen Inlet, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska

The 1906 photograph, by USGS Geologist Charles Will Wright, shows the calving terminus of Carroll Glacier sitting at the head of Queen Inlet (USGS Photo Library Photograph - Wright 333). No vegetation is visible.

The 2003 photograph shows that the terminus of Carroll Glacier has changed to a stagnant, debris-covered glacier that has significantly thinned and retreated from its 1906 position. The head of Queen Inlet has been filled by sediment. An examination of early 20th century nautical charts suggests that the sediment fill exceeds 125 meters (410 feet). Note the developing vegetation on the island. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

The 1906 photograph by Charles Will Wright shows the calving terminus of Carroll Glacier sitting at the head of Queen Inlet. No vegetation is visible. (USGS Photo Library Photograph - Wright 333).

The 2004 photograph shows that the terminus of Carroll Glacier has changed to a stagnant, debris-covered glacier that has significantly thinned and retreated from its 1906 position. The head of Queen Inlet has been filled by sediment. An examination of early 20th century nautical charts suggests that the sediment fill exceeds 125 meters (410 feet). Note the developing vegetation on the sediment fill. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

Pedersen Glacier, Aialik Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska

The 1909 photograph by U.S. Grant shows the north side of the then retreating terminus of Pedersen Glacier, grounded on the beach above tidewater. Little, if any vegetation is present in the photograph (USGS Photo Library Photograph–Grant 131).

The 2004 photograph documents the retreat of Pedersen Glacier from the field of view, a retreat of about 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles). Diverse vegetation, featuring alder and spruce, has become established on the hill slopes and on the elevated ground of the former terminus. Beach vegetation is also becoming established. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

The photograph by U.S. Grant, is a July 23, 1909 view of the then retreating northern part of the terminus. The water in the foreground is part of an ice-marginal lake/lagoon located adjacent to Aialik Bay. When photographed, Pedersen Glacier was calving icebergs into the lake from a sérac-capped terminus that was as much 40 meters (131 feet) high. Very little vegetation is visible. (USGS Photo Library Photograph – Grant 130).

This photograph dates from August 10, 2005. In the 94 years between photographs, most of the lake/lagoon has filed with sediment and now supports several varieties of grasses, shrubs, and aquatic plants. Several dozen dead trees are remnants of a mid-20th century forest that was drowned by more than 3 meters (9.8 feet) of down warping of the coast during the 1964 Alaskan Earthquake. Pedersen Glacier’s terminus is no longer in the field of view and has retreated more than 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) to the west. Only a few small icebergs are visible, the result of calving into a new lake that has formed as Pedersen Glacier has retreated. Note that vegetation has developed on nearly every exposed land surface. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

Yalik Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park, Kenai Mountains, Nuka Passage, Alaska

The photograph by D.F. Higgins, is an August 6, 1909 view of the then retreating northern part of the terminus. The absence of any icebergs indicates that by 1909, the glacier was no longer tidewater. When photographed, Yalik Glacier had a gently sloping terminus with little elevation at its margin. It is impossible to determine if vegetation was present. (USGS Photo Library Photograph – Grant 235).

This photograph dates from August 8, 2004. In the 95 years between photographs, Yalik Glacier has thinned by more than 100 meters (328 feet) and retreated more than 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles). It is now fronted by an ice-marginal lake. The shoreline south of the glacier supports several varieties of grasses, shrubs, and trees. Note the vegetation on the mountain slopes. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

Aialik Glacier, Kenai Fjords National Park, Kenai Mountains, Aialik Bay, Alaska

The first photograph by U.S. Grant, is a July 20, 1909 view of the then slowly retreating western part of the terminus. When photographed, Aialik Glacier was actively calving icebergs into the bay from a sérac-capped terminus that was as much as 40 meters (131 feet) high. No vegetation is visible. (USGS Photo Library Photograph –Grant 128).

The second photograph dates from August 12, 2005. In the 96 years between photographs, the terminus of Aialik Glacier remains close to its 1909 position, retreating a maximum of 300 meters (984 feet) and thinning 20–50 meters (65.6-164 ft). Although only a few small icebergs are visible in the photograph, Aialik Glacier is still a major tidewater calving glacier. Note that vegetation has developed on nearly every exposed land surface. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

McCarty Fjord, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska

The 1909 photograph by U.S. Grant shows the east side of the terminus of the then retreating McCarty Glacier, a tidewater glacier. Little, if any vegetation is present on the upper slopes, but beach grass is present in the foreground and trees are present on the back beach to the right (USGS Photo Library Photograph – Grant 143).

The 2004 photograph shows part of McCarty Glacier, which has retreated more than 15 kilometers (9.3 miles) up the bay. Dense, diverse vegetation, featuring alder, willow, and spruce, has become established on the hill slopes and back beach areas. Note the beach grass in the foreground. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

The 1909 photograph by USGS Geologist U.S. Grant shows the west side of the terminus of the then retreating McCarty Glacier, a tidewater glacier. Little, if any vegetation is present in the photograph (USGS Photo Library Photograph – Grant 144).

The 2004 photograph documents the retreat of McCarty Glacier from the field of view, a retreat of more than 15 kilometers (9.8 miles). Dense, diverse vegetation, featuring spruce, has become established on the hill slopes. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

The July 30, 1909 photograph shows the west side of the terminus of the then retreating McCarty Glacier, It was taken from a location about 8 kilometers (5 miles) north of the mouth of McCarty Fiord. The area in the foreground is composed of a variety of types of glacial deposits including recessional moraines and outwash. The area is probably underlain by a thick mass of relict ice. Note the barren zone and adjacent Picea-dominated vegetation, located to the left of the summit ridge of glacier ice. A number of Alnus are growing in the foreground. (USGS photograph by D.F. Higgins).

The August 11, 2004 photograph is taken from the same location, but more than years later. During the period between photographs, the terminus of McCarty Glacier has retreated about 15 kilometers (9.8 miles) to the north. The area in the foreground, formerly covered by a variety of types of glacial sedimentary deposits, is now open ocean water, the result of melting of the relict glacier ice underlying the sediment deposits. In places, the depth to the fiord floor exceeds 200 meters (656 feet). The former barren zone and adjacent hillside is now covered by dense vegetation, featuring mature Picea. Note the absence of any icebergs. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

Holgate Arm, Aialik Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska

The 1909 photograph by USGS Geologist U.S. Grant shows Holgate Glacier, a tidewater glacier at the head of the fiord with “Little Holgate Glacier,” one of its former tributaries, located to its left. “Little Holgate Glacier terminates at the shoreline. No vegetation is present at the head of the fiord (USGS Photo Library Photograph–Grant 132).

The 2004 photograph documents the continuing retreat of both glaciers. “Little Holgate Glacier’ has separated into several smaller ice masses and Holgate’s terminus, while still tidewater, has retreat from the field of view. Alder has become established on the hill slopes. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

Bear Glacier, Kenai Mountains, Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska

The first photograph by U.S. Grant, is a July 20, 1909 photograph of the eastern part of the terminus of Bear Glacier, fronted by a small outwash plain and several moraine ridges. When photographed, the glacier was slowly retreating. (USGS Photo Library - Photograph Grant 123).

The second photograph dates from August 11, 2005. In the 96 years between photographs, Bear Glacier has retreated more than 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) and is no longer in the field of view. It has thinned by as much as 200 meters (656 feet). The sediment body in the foreground is often overtopped by storm waves, hence the driftwood log. The water in the middle of the photograph is part of the river that connects the large ice-marginal lake that has developed adjacent to the retreating terminus with Resurrection Bay. Note the abundant vegetation north of the river. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

The first photograph by U.S. Grant, is a July 20, 1909 photograph of the eastern part of the terminus of Bear Glacier, fronted by a small outwash plain and a small lagoon. When photographed, the glacier was slowly retreating. (USGS Photo Library - Photograph Grant 120).

The second photograph dates from August 11, 2005. In the 96 years between photographs, Bear Glacier has retreated more than 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) and thinned by as much as 200 meters (656 feet). Only a very small part of Bear Glacier is visible. The tributary descending from the mountains was not visible in 1909 as it was hidden by the then massive terminus of the glacier. The lagoon present in 1909 has been filled with sediment and the outwash plain to the north is covered by grasses, wildflowers, shrubs, and trees. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

The older photograph is from a postcard labeled Harding Glaciers, Resurrection Bay, Alaska. The water in the foreground is part of lower Resurrection Bay. The name Harding Glacier or Glaciers was never officially adopted for Bear Glacier. In 1923, President Warren G. Harding visited Alaska, including a trip to Resurrection Bay and nearby Seward. The name Harding Icefield was officially approved in 1950 for the upland accumulation area that feeds Bear Glacier and a number of other glaciers of the Kenai Fiords. When photographed in the 1920s, Bear Glacier’s piedmont lobe was greatly expanded. Note that a few small shrubs or trees are present on the low sediment plain in front of the glacier’s terminus. (undated, unnumbered postcard; unknown photographer, courtesy of Kenai Fjords National Park).

The second photograph was made on August 12, 2005. In the approximately 80 years between photographs, Bear Glacier’s piedmont lobe has retreated completely out of the field of view. Large icebergs, floating in the ice-marginal lake that fills the basin formerly occupied by Bear Glacier’s piedmont lobe, represent the only glacier ice that is visible. Isolated patches of snow are present at a few higher elevation locations. Note the dense vegetation that has developed around the margin of the lake and on most of the lower gradient slopes. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

Harris Bay, Kenai Fjords National Park, Kenai Mountains, Alaska

The 1909 photograph by U.S. Grant shows the then retreating terminus of Northwestern Glacier, then extending to within 450 meters (1,476 feet) of its late-Little Ice Age maximum position. In places, the height of the terminus exceeded 50 meters (164 feet). No vegetation is visible in the photograph. (USGS Photo Library - Photograph Grant 136).

By August 2004, Northwestern Glacier has retreated out of the field of view. In fact, the 2004 terminus is located more than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) to the northwest. Ogive Glacier, a former tributary glacier to Northwestern Glacier, is the glacier visible to the left of center. Ice-free Harris Bay and Northwestern Lagoon make up the foreground of the image. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

The 1909 photograph by U.S. Grant shows the then retreating terminus of Northwestern Glacier, then extending to within within 450 meters (1,476 feet) of its late-Little Ice Age maximum position. In places, the height of the terminus exceeded 50 meters (164 feet). No vegetation is visible in the photograph. (USGS Photo Library - Photograph Grant 137).

By August 2004, Northwestern Glacier has retreated out of the field of view. In fact, the 2004 terminus is located more than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) to the northwest. Ice-free Harris Bay makes up the foreground of the image. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

Harvard Arm, College Fiord, Prince William Sound, Chugach National Forest, Alaska

The 1909 photograph by USGS Geologist U.S. Grant shows Harvard Glacier at the head of the fiord with Radcliffe Glacier, one of its largest tributaries, flowing into it at the right of center, Baltimore Glacier, a retreating hanging glacier is at the left side of the photo. Vegetation is not apparent. If any is present, it is on the hill slopes above the fiord (USGS Photo Library Photograph–Grant 208).

The 2000 photograph documents the continuing advance of Harvard Glacier, which has completely obscured the view of Radcliff Glacier. Baltimore Glacier has continued to retreat and thin. Alder has become established on the hill slopes, but is difficult to see from the photo location. Harvard Glacier has advanced more than 1.25 kilometers (0.78 miles) since 1909. (USGS Photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

Toboggan Glacier, Harriman Fiord, Prince William Sound, Chugach National Forest, Alaska

The 1905 photograph shows that Toboggan Glacier was thinning and retreating and was surrounded by a large bedrock barren zone. This suggests that retreat and thinning began in the mid- to late-19th century. Minimal vegetation existed on the fiord-facing hill slopes. In 1905, the terminus appears to have thinned to about 50% of its former thickness. Note the gently dipping sediment plain adjacent to the terminus. Note the two arcuate ridges, capped by several hummocky mounds that are located on the surface of the outwash sediments. The ridges are recessional moraines, dating from the late 19th century. (USGS Photo by Sidney Paige - 731).

After 95 years, in 2000, the glacier is still thinning and retreating. Its terminus, a thin tongue of ice, can be seen surrounded by a mass of debris. The glacier has thinned as much as 150 meters (492 feet) and retreated more than 0.5 kilometers (0.3 miles). A large accumulation of snow sits on the valley floor adjacent to where the northern-most hanging glacier tributary previously joined Toboggan Glacier. The tributary no longer makes contact, having retreated more than 0.6 kilometers (0.37 miles) up the valley wall. The former zone of barren bedrock is now covered by vegetation. The August 22, 2008 photograph documents the continuing thinning and retreat of Toboggan Glacier. The thin tongue of terminus ice that was visible 8 years earlier is gone. Both hanging glacier tributaries continue to retreat. (USGS photograph by Bruce F. Molnia).

East Fork of the Teklanika River, Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

The 1919 photograph by USGS Geologist Stephen Capps shows the then retreating, debris-covered terminus of “East Fork Teklanika Glacier” with an elevated lateral moraine on its west (left) side. Small tundra plants are the only identifiable vegetation (USGS Photo Library Photograph – Capps).

The 2004 photograph documents the continued thinning and retreat of “East Fork Teklanika Glacier.” The glacier has retreated more than 0.3 kilometers (0.19 miles) since 1919, retreating at an average rate of about 4.0 meters per year (13 feet per year). (2004 NPS Photograph by Ron Karpilo).