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South East AK |
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* QTVR Mendenhall Glacier 2 * |
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A recent concern is that Alaska's glaciers are shrinking, possibly related to a warming climate. After analyzing more than 2,000 glaciers in 11 mountain ranges and three archipelagos -- including 780 glaciers that have names -- federal glaciologists Bruce Molnia found that only about a dozen of the large, named glaciers have advanced during the past few years. We see this trend as glaciers that were once tidewater no longer reach the ocean. While this trend has been happening for several centuries, the effects appear to be happening more rapidly. |
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" Juneau, Alaska "
Ice fields and an estimated 100,000 glaciers cover 5 percent of Alaska's surface and they are easily viewed by visitors to Juneau, Valdez, Whittier, Seward, Anchorage or the Matanuska Valley.
The pure-water runoff from the 27 mile-long Matanuska glacier is used for drinking for a large part of Anchorage, Alaska's largest city, and the surrounding areas.
Malaspina Glacier is the largest glacier in the state, with an area of 1,500 square miles and extending 50 miles from Mount St. Elias toward the Gulf of Alaska. |
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