Data from: Historical retreat of alpine glaciers in the Ahklun Mountains, western Alaska
Data files
Jan 09, 2015 version files 320 KB
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Table A1.doc
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Table A2.doc
Abstract
The Ahklun Mountains support the only extant glaciers in western Alaska. The glaciers were originally mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey using photogrammetry methods based on 1972 - 1973 aerial photos. We surveyed for presence or absence of the glaciers by fixed-wing aircraft in 2006. Of 109 glaciers originally mapped, 10 (9%) had disappeared. Using aerial imagery of a subset of 76 glaciers at three time steps between 1957 - 2009, we determined the average rate of areal loss was 45% over 52 years. At this rate, it is likely that all Ahklun Mountain glaciers will be extinguished by the end of the current century.