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Global warming, climate change

61 images Created 21 Aug 2012

The overwhelming majority of the world's climate scientists agree that human-caused carbon-compound gas emissions are accelerating global warming, causing climate change, rapidly melting glaciers, and raising ocean levels worldwide (see www.ucsusa.org). Since the industrial revolution began, humans have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration by 35% through burning of fossil fuels, deforesting land, and grazing livestock. Sea level is currently rising by 1.3 inches (3.2 centimeters) per decade. Since the industrial revolution began, excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has acidified the oceans by almost 30%, with possibly drastic affects on shellfish and fisheries. Climate change may be most dire for subsistence farming societies in Africa and Asia. Humans have forced a grand warming experiment affecting all life on earth, with unknown consequences. The majority of glaciers are melting fast wherever I visit around the world, from Switzerland to Glacier National Park (Montana) to Antarctica.

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  • Seen through a jet window, a vast ice sheet stretches across Greenland, the world's largest island. This ice cap (Sermersuaq in Greenlandic) contains 10 percent of the world's fresh water, plus atmospheric particles which scientists can use to gain an insight into the climate of both Greenland and the Earth going back some 250,000 years. Scientists report accelerated melting since the new millennium, with a net loss of ice mass. If the entire ice sheet melted, the world's oceans would rise by 6-7 meters (20-23 feet). Greenland's huge ice sheet is only second in size to the Antarctic Ice Sheet. Greenland lies between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. While it is physiographically part of the North American continent, for more than a thousand years Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe (the colonial powers of Norway and Denmark, plus the nearby island of Iceland). In 2008, the people of Greenland passed a referendum making it an autonomous country within the Danish Realm. With a population of about 56,480 in 2013, it is the least densely populated country in the world. (The continent of Australia is larger but isn't considered an island.)
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  • Tasman Glacier Viewpoint: Tasman Glacier retreated 2 kilometers from 1990-2011, expanding Tasman Lake, in Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, Canterbury region, South Island, New Zealand. Tasman Lake boat tours are a good way to get closer to Tasman Glacier. In the early 1970s, Tasman Glacier and some small meltwater ponds abutted its terminal moraine at the current viewpoint; and by 1990, these ponds had merged into what was named Tasman Lake. From 1990-2011, Tasman Glacier shockingly retreated 2 kilometers, a fast melting that continues in 2019. UNESCO lists Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand as a World Heritage Area.
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  • A rainbow over a Fiji Airways jet in Suva, Fiji. We flew Fiji Airways from Christchurch over South and North Islands of New Zealand to Fiji then back to San Francisco, from where we drove back to Seattle. As of 2019, demand for air travel is surging just when our window to limit catastrophic global warming is closing. Decarbonizing the airline industry has proven difficult so far. I personally attempt to offset the carbon footprint of my photo-travel profession by not having kids (not birthing new children); by a lifetime of frugality and recycling; by driving exceptionally fuel-efficient vehicles (such as Toyota Prius); and by eating lower on the food chain.
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  • A Zodiac boat explores a blue iceberg arch melting in Neko Harbor (an inlet of the Southern Ocean), at Graham Land, the north portion of the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica. Scientists have measured temperatures on the Antarctic Peninsula as warming faster than anywhere else on  earth. An overwhelming consensus of world scientists agree that global warming is indeed happening and humans are contributing to it through emission of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide (see www.ucsusa.org). Since the industrial revolution began, humans have increased atmospheric CO2 concentration by 35% (through burning of fossil fuels, deforesting land, and grazing livestock). Published in "Light Travel: Photography on the Go" book by Tom Dempsey 2009, 2010. Published in Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures 2009, 2011.
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  • Hike to Cracker Lake 11.2 miles round trip (with 1140 feet gain) beneath soaring peaks of the Lewis Range in Glacier National Park, Montana, USA. See the small and rapidly melting Siyeh Glacier clinging to the rock wall at the head of Cracker Lake. Of the 150 glaciers existing in Glacier NP in the mid 1800s, only 25 active glaciers remain as of 2010, and all may disappear as soon as 2020, say climate scientists. Glaciers carved spectacular U-shaped valleys and pyramidal peaks here as recently as the Last Glacial Maximum (the last "Ice Age" 25,000 to 13,000 years ago). An overwhelming consensus of world scientists agree that global warming is indeed happening and humans are contributing to it through emission of heat-trapping "greenhouse gases," primarily carbon dioxide (see www.ucsusa.org). Since the industrial revolution began, humans have increased atmospheric CO2 concentration by 35% (through burning of fossil fuels, deforesting land, and grazing livestock). Since 1932, Canada and USA have shared Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, which UNESCO declared a World Heritage Site (1995) containing two Biosphere Reserves (1976). Rocks in the park are primarily sedimentary layers deposited in shallow seas over 1.6 billion to 800 million years ago. During the tectonic formation of the Rocky Mountains 170 million years ago, the Lewis Overthrust displaced these old rocks over newer Cretaceous age rocks.
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  • A canal of the Venice Lagoon laps across the sill of a historic doorway shuttered with iron. Built on a sinking marsh, Venice floods often due to tides and weather. On one island, a Roman walkway is now 5 feet below sea level. Industrial pumping of groundwater (now banned) sank Venice by 10 centimeters from 1920-1970. Global warming now raises sea levels by 3.2 centimeters (1.3 inches) per decade, much faster than the marsh sediments are compacting downwards. An overwhelming consensus of world scientists agree that global warming is indeed happening and humans are contributing to it through emission of heat-trapping "greenhouse gases," primarily carbon dioxide (see www.ucsusa.org). Since the industrial revolution began, humans have increased atmospheric CO2 concentration by 35% (through burning of fossil fuels, deforesting land, and grazing livestock). The Republic of Venice wielded major sea power during the Middle Ages, Crusades, and Renaissance. Riches from Venice's silk, grain, and spice trade in the 1200s-1600s built elaborate architecture combining Gothic, Byzantine, and Arab styles. Venice and the Venetian Lagoon are honored on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
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  • People are dwarfed by the Exit Glacier, which flows from the Harding Icefield in the Kenai Mountains of Alaska, USA. The only road into Kenai Fjords National Park is a spur of the Seward Highway to Exit Glacier, one of the most visited glaciers in Alaska. It was named after the exit of the first recorded crossing of Harding Icefield in 1968. Hike trails to the glacier terminus or up to Harding Icefield. From 1815-1999, the Exit Glacier in Alaska retreated 6549 feet, melting an average of 35 feet per year (according to www.nps.gov/kefj/). Over the past 50 years, Alaska’s winters have warmed by 6.3°F (3.5°C) and its annual average temperature has increased 3.4°F (2.0°C) (Karl et al. 2009). Alaska has warmed more than twice as fast as the continental United States. Since the industrial revolution began, humans have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration by 35% through burning fossil fuels, deforesting land, and grazing livestock. An overwhelming consensus of climate scientists agree that global warming is indeed happening and humans are contributing to it through emission of greenhouse gases (primarily carbon dioxide). The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2007) says "Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice and rising global average sea level. There is very high confidence that the net effect of human activities since 1750 has been one of warming."
    02AK-04-19_Exit-Glacier-hike.jpg
  • From Panorama Ridge, admire the vibrant turquoise color of Garibaldi Lake, which comes from glacial flour suspended in meltwater from Sphinx and Sentinel Glaciers. Above the lake rises Mount Garibaldi (2678 m or 8786 ft), a potentially active stratovolcano in Garibaldi Provincial Park, east of the Sea to Sky Highway (Route 99) between Squamish and Whistler, in the Coast Range, British Columbia, Canada. Below Mount Garibaldi are Table Mountain and Warren Glacier. Mount Garibaldi began erupting and growing steadily since 250,000 years ago and is the only major Pleistocene age volcano in North America known to have formed on top of a glacier. Although part of the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt within the Cascade Volcanic Arc, it is not considered part of the Cascade Range. The unusually-flat Table Mountain formed just 12,000 years ago from a lava eruption underneath a glacier! Regarding global warming and climate change: from the early 1700s to 2005, half (51%) of the glacial ice cover of Garibaldi Provincial Park melted away (reference: Koch et al. 2008, web.unbc.ca). The record of 1900s glacier fluctuations in Garibaldi Park is similar to that in southern Europe, South America, and New Zealand, suggesting a common, global climatic cause. This panorama was stitched from 3 overlapping images.
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  • A sign marks the extent of Morteratsch Glacier in 1920, showing fast retreat. Morteratsch Glacier (Romansh: Vadret da Morteratsch) flows from the Bernina massif in Upper Engadine, Switzerland, the Alps, Europe. From 1878-1998, Morteratsch Glacier retreated 1.8 kilometers (1.1 miles). Melting accelerated to 30 meters (98 feet) per year from 1999–2005. An overwhelming consensus of world scientists agree that global warming is indeed happening and humans are contributing to it through emission of heat-trapping "greenhouse gases," primarily carbon dioxide (see www.ucsusa.org). Since the industrial revolution began, humans have increased atmospheric CO2 concentration by 35% (through burning of fossil fuels, deforesting land, and grazing livestock). A favorite walk is from Morteratsch (second train stop from Pontresina towards Bernina Pass) to Refuge Boval, which has a restaurant and overnight lodging. The trail is well graded, 5 or 6 miles round trip with 2700 feet gain. Return via lower trail for partial loop. The Swiss valley of Engadine translates as the “garden of the En (or Inn) River” (Engadin in German, Engiadina in Romansh, Engadina in Italian).
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  • Mount Rainier, Emmons Glacier, and the headwaters of the White River are seen from Glacier Overlook near Sunrise Camp, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. For vigorous training, hike the Burroughs Mountain 10 mile loop, 3200 feet ascent, from White River Campground up Glacier Basin Trail, back via Shadow Lake. Global warming and climate change: Mount Rainier’s glaciers shrank 22% by area and 25% by volume between 1913 and 1994 in conjunction with rising temperatures (Nylen 2004). As of 2009, monitored glaciers are continuing to retreat (NPS). Over the last century, most glaciers have been shrinking across western North America (Moore et al. 2009) and the globe (Lemke et al. 2007) in association with increasing temperatures. Published as a double page spread in Washington State Visitors Guide 2013, by Sagacity Media, Inc.
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  • A waterfall flows from Snowbird Pass, above the toe of Robson Glacier in Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada. Global warming alert: during the past century, Robson Glacier has receded an average of 18 meters per year (1788 meters total from 1911-2010, www.glacierchange.org), and has accelerating melting to 22 meters per year since 1996. An inventory of western Canada glaciers (by Bolch et al 2010) found that from 1985-2005, British Columbia glaciers lost 11% of their area and Alberta glaciers lost 25% of their area. Mount Robson is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site honored by UNESCO in 1984. The panorama was stitched from 5 overlapping photos.
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  • Exit Glacier terminus in 2006. Exit Glacier flows from the Harding Icefield in the Kenai Mountains of Alaska, USA, and terminates near a visitor center. The only road into Kenai Fjords National Park is a spur of the Seward Highway to Exit Glacier, one of the most visited glaciers in Alaska. It was named after the exit of the first recorded crossing of Harding Icefield in 1968. Hike trails to the glacier terminus or up to Harding Icefield. From 1815-1999, the Exit Glacier in Alaska retreated 6549 feet, melting an average of 35 feet per year (according to www.nps.gov/kefj/). Over the past 50 years, Alaska’s winters have warmed by 6.3°F (3.5°C) and its annual average temperature has increased 3.4°F (2.0°C) (Karl et al. 2009). Alaska has warmed more than twice as fast as the continental United States. Since the industrial revolution began, humans have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration by 35% through burning fossil fuels, deforesting land, and grazing livestock. An overwhelming consensus of climate scientists agree that global warming is indeed happening and humans are contributing to it through emission of greenhouse gases (primarily carbon dioxide). The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2007) says "Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice and rising global average sea level. There is very high confidence that the net effect of human activities since 1750 has been one of warming."
    06AK_1173-Exit-Glacier_Kenai-FNP.jpg
  • Patterned lines of yearly snowfall melt from Helm Glacier in Garibaldi Provincial Park, seen from Panorama Ridge Trail in the Coast Range, British Columbia, Canada. Garibaldi Park is east of the Sea to Sky Highway (Route 99) between Squamish and Whistler. Global warming/climate change: The Helm Glacier had an area of 4.3 square kilometers in 1928, but declined by 78% to 0.92 square kilometers as of 2009. The Helm Glacier's melting trend mirrors that of all glaciers in the Pacific Northwest and fits into the pattern of glacier retreat across Canada (measured in the Canadian Glacier Retreat Index). From the early 1700s to 2005, half (51%) of the glacial ice cover of Garibaldi Provincial Park melted away (reference: Koch et al. 2008, web.unbc.ca). The record of 1900s glacier fluctuations in Garibaldi Park is similar to that in southern Europe, South America, and New Zealand, suggesting a common, global climatic cause.
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  • See icy Mount Rainier from Glacier Overlook near Sunrise Camp, a walk of 5 miles round trip with 1200 feet gain via First Burroughs Mountain, in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA. For more vigorous training, hike the Burroughs Mountain 10 mile loop, with 3200 feet ascent from White River Campground up Glacier Basin Trail and back via Shadow Lake. Global warming and climate change: Mount Rainier’s glaciers shrank 22% by area and 25% by volume between 1913 and 1994 in conjunction with rising temperatures (Nylen 2004). As of 2009, monitored glaciers are continuing to retreat (NPS). Over the last century, most glaciers have been shrinking across western North America (Moore et al. 2009) and the globe (Lemke et al. 2007) in association with increasing temperatures. This panorama was stitched from 11 overlapping photos.
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  • A Zodiac boat explores a blue iceberg arch melting in Neko Harbor (an inlet of the Southern Ocean), at Graham Land, the north portion of the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica. Scientists have measured temperatures on the Antarctic Peninsula as warming faster than anywhere else on earth. An overwhelming consensus of world scientists agree that global warming is indeed happening and humans are contributing to it through emission of heat-trapping "greenhouse gases," primarily carbon dioxide (see www.ucsusa.org). Since the industrial revolution began, humans have increased atmospheric CO2 concentration by 35% (through burning of fossil fuels, deforesting land, and grazing livestock). Published in "Light Travel: Photography on the Go" book by Tom Dempsey 2009, 2010.
    05ANT-10949_Neko-Harbor.jpg
  • A yellow sign warns of glacier ice falling, creating a wave, and submerging a person in dangerous water, at Fox Glacier, South Island, New Zealand. As of 2012, both the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are more than 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) shorter than a century ago. Fox Glacier retreated throughout most of the last 100 years, advanced from 1985-2009, then began retreating again. In 1990, UNESCO honored Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand as a World Heritage Area.
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  • The red and white ship M/S Explorer anchors near an arched blue iceberg at Neko Harbor, Graham Land, the north portion of the Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica (in February 2005). Nearby glaciers calve icebergs which melt into the Southern Ocean or dissolve in chunks washed onto the beach. Scientists have measured temperatures on the Antarctic Peninsula as warming faster than anywhere else on earth. An overwhelming consensus of world scientists agree that global warming is indeed happening and humans are contributing to it through emission of heat-trapping "greenhouse gases," primarily carbon dioxide (see www.ucsusa.org). Since the industrial revolution began, humans have increased atmospheric CO2 concentration by 35% (through burning of fossil fuels, deforesting land, and grazing livestock).
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  • Afternoon sun hits Mount Rainier (14,411 feet elevation) and lupine flowers on Sunrise Ridge, in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA. Lupinus is a genus in the pea family (also called the legume, bean, or pulse family, Latin name Fabaceae or Leguminosae). Published since 2013 on StayRainier.com and AltaCrystalResort.com web sites; and on 2015 Alta Crystal Resort Summer Brochure. Published in National Parks Traveler digital magazine hard copy, digital, & web, NationalParksTraveler.com. Global warming and climate change: Mount Rainier’s glaciers shrank 22% by area and 25% by volume between 1913 and 1994 in conjunction with rising temperatures (Nylen 2004). As of 2009, monitored glaciers are continuing to retreat (NPS). Over the last century, most glaciers have been shrinking across western North America (Moore et al. 2009) and the globe (Lemke et al. 2007) in association with increasing temperatures.
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  • Portage Glacier and Portage Lake, Chugach National Forest, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, USA. A short hike near Whittier reaches this view from Portage Pass. During the past century, the terminus of the Portage Glacier has retreated nearly 5 kilometers to its present location (according to pubs.usgs.gov in 2006).
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  • Fox Glacier, South Island, New Zealand. As of 2012, both the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are more than 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) shorter than a century ago. Fox Glacier retreated throughout most of the last 100 years, advanced from 1985-2009, then began retreating again. In 1990, UNESCO honored Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand as a World Heritage Area.
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  • Drive to Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site near Thompson Pass in the Chugach Mountains, at milepost 28.7 of Richardson Highway east of Valdez, Alaska, USA. See one of the few US glaciers accessible by paved highway. Like most of Alaskas glaciers, this valley glacier has been steadily retreating for the last 150 years, but not as dramatically as many others. Thompson Pass is the snowiest place recorded in Alaska, with 551.5 inches (1,401 cm) of snow per year on average. The winter of 1952-1953 set an Alaskan record of more than 80 feet of snow. An Alaskan record snowfall of 62 inches (160 cm) fell in a single day, December 29, 1955.
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  • See Overlord Glacier and Mountain from Overlord Trail on Blackcomb Mountain, in Garibaldi Provincial Park, the Coast Range, British Columbia, Canada. The Resort Municipality of Whistler is popular for year-round  outdoor sports aided by gondolas and chair lifts. Global warming/climate change: As of 2005, Overlord Glacier had retreated 880 meters from its terminus of year 1929. From the early 1700s to 2005, half (51%) of the glacial ice cover of Garibaldi Provincial Park melted away (Koch et al. 2008, web.unbc.ca). The record of 1900s glacier fluctuations in Garibaldi Park is similar to that in southern Europe, South America, and New Zealand, suggesting a common, global climatic cause.
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  • A hiker explores the Exit Glacier, which flows from the Harding Icefield in the Kenai Mountains of Alaska, USA. The only road into Kenai Fjords National Park is a spur of the Seward Highway to Exit Glacier, one of the most visited glaciers in Alaska. It was named after the exit of the first recorded crossing of Harding Icefield in 1968. Hike trails to the glacier terminus or up to Harding Icefield. From 1815-1999, the Exit Glacier in Alaska retreated 6549 feet, melting an average of 35 feet per year (according to www.nps.gov/kefj/). Over the past 50 years, Alaska’s winters have warmed by 6.3°F (3.5°C) and its annual average temperature has increased 3.4°F (2.0°C) (Karl et al. 2009). Alaska has warmed more than twice as fast as the continental United States. Since the industrial revolution began, humans have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration by 35% through burning fossil fuels, deforesting land, and grazing livestock. An overwhelming consensus of climate scientists agree that global warming is indeed happening and humans are contributing to it through emission of greenhouse gases (primarily carbon dioxide). The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2007) says "Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice and rising global average sea level. There is very high confidence that the net effect of human activities since 1750 has been one of warming."
    06AK_7009-Exit-Glacier_Kenai-FNP.jpg
  • Dwarf fireweed grows beside Robson Glacier, in Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada. Mount Robson (3954 meters or 12,972 feet) is the highest point in the Canadian Rockies, and is part of the Rainbow Range. Global warming alert: during the past century, Robson Glacier has receded an average of 18 meters per year (1788 meters total from 1911-2010, www.glacierchange.org), and has accelerating melting to 22 meters per year since 1996. An inventory of western Canada glaciers (by Bolch et al 2010) found that from 1985-2005, British Columbia glaciers lost 11% of their area and Alberta glaciers lost 25% of their area. Mount Robson is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site honored by UNESCO in 1984.
    08CAN-1816-p1_Mt-Robson.jpg
  • Naches Peak Loop Trail in October, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA. In altitude, Washington varies from sea level up to 14,411 feet (4,392 meters) at the summit of Mount Rainier, which is the highest peak in the Cascade Range. With 26 major glaciers, Mount Rainier is the most heavily glaciated peak in the lower 48 states, with 35 square miles (91 square km) of permanent snowfields and glaciers. This active stratovolcano (composite volcano) is in Pierce County, 54 miles (87 km) southeast of Seattle. Published since 2013 on StayRainier.com and AltaCrystalResort.com web sites. Global warming and climate change: Mount Rainier’s glaciers shrank 22% by area and 25% by volume between 1913 and 1994 in conjunction with rising temperatures (Nylen 2004). As of 2009, monitored glaciers are continuing to retreat (NPS). Over the last century, most glaciers have been shrinking across western North America (Moore et al. 2009) and the globe (Lemke et al. 2007) in association with increasing temperatures.
    02RAI-01-13-MtRainierEast.jpg
  • People are dwarfed by the Exit Glacier, which flows from the Harding Icefield in the Kenai Mountains of Alaska, USA. The only road into Kenai Fjords National Park is a spur of the Seward Highway to Exit Glacier, one of the most visited glaciers in Alaska. It was named after the exit of the first recorded crossing of Harding Icefield in 1968. Hike trails to the glacier terminus or up to Harding Icefield. From 1815-1999, the Exit Glacier in Alaska retreated 6549 feet, melting an average of 35 feet per year (according to www.nps.gov/kefj/). Over the past 50 years, Alaska’s winters have warmed by 6.3°F (3.5°C) and its annual average temperature has increased 3.4°F (2.0°C) (Karl et al. 2009). Alaska has warmed more than twice as fast as the continental United States. Since the industrial revolution began, humans have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration by 35% through burning fossil fuels, deforesting land, and grazing livestock. An overwhelming consensus of climate scientists agree that global warming is indeed happening and humans are contributing to it through emission of greenhouse gases (primarily carbon dioxide). The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2007) says "Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice and rising global average sea level. There is very high confidence that the net effect of human activities since 1750 has been one of warming."
    06AK_1179-Exit-Glacier_Kenai-FNP.jpg
  • Mount Iago, Mount Fitzsimmons (2610 m), Overlord Mountain, and Overlord Glacier (left to right) rise above the High Note Trail on Whistler Mountain in the Fitzsimmons Range, Coast Mountains, British Columbia, Canada. Global warming/climate change: As of 2005, Overlord Glacier had retreated 880 meters from its terminus of year 1929. From the early 1700s to 2005, half (51%) of the glacial ice cover of Garibaldi Provincial Park melted away (Koch et al. 2008, web.unbc.ca). The record of 1900s glacier fluctuations in Garibaldi Park is similar to that in southern Europe, South America, and New Zealand, suggesting a common, global climatic cause.
    1208WHI-012.jpg
  • Mount Rainier rises to 14,411 feet elevation. The walk from Sunrise Visitor Center to Burroughs Mountain gives spectacular glacier views in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA. Or for a good workout, hike the Burroughs Mountain 10 mile loop trail which ascends a total of 3200 feet from White River Campground up Glacier Basin Trail, and back via Shadow Lake. Global warming and climate change: Mount Rainier’s glaciers shrank 22% by area and 25% by volume between 1913 and 1994 in conjunction with rising temperatures (Nylen 2004). As of 2009, monitored glaciers are continuing to retreat (NPS). Over the last century, most glaciers have been shrinking across western North America (Moore et al. 2009) and the globe (Lemke et al. 2007) in association with increasing temperatures. For licensing options, please inquire.
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  • On the way to Snowbird Pass, see Robson Glacier, in Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada. Mount Robson (3954 meters or 12,972 feet) is the highest point in the Canadian Rockies, and is part of the Rainbow Range. Global warming alert: during the past century, Robson Glacier has receded an average of 18 meters per year (1788 meters total from 1911-2010, www.glacierchange.org), and has accelerating melting to 22 meters per year since 1996. An inventory of western Canada glaciers (by Bolch et al 2010) found that from 1985-2005, British Columbia glaciers lost 11% of their area and Alberta glaciers lost 25% of their area. Mount Robson is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site honored by UNESCO in 1984. Panorama stitched from 12 images.
    08CAN-2009-2020pan_Robson-Glacier.jpg
  • In altitude, Washington varies from sea level up to 14,411 feet (4,392 meters) at the summit of Mount Rainier, which is the highest peak in the Cascade Range. With 26 major glaciers, Mount Rainier is the most heavily glaciated peak in the lower 48 states, with 35 square miles (91 km²) of permanent snowfields and glaciers. This active stratovolcano (composite volcano) is in Pierce County, 54 miles (87 km) southeast of Seattle. Global warming and climate change: Mount Rainier’s glaciers shrank 22% by area and 25% by volume between 1913 and 1994 in conjunction with rising temperatures (Nylen 2004). As of 2009, monitored glaciers are continuing to retreat (NPS). Over the last century, most glaciers have been shrinking across western North America (Moore et al. 2009) and the globe (Lemke et al. 2007) in association with increasing temperatures. Published in "Light Travel: Photography on the Go" book by Tom Dempsey 2009, 2010.
    05ARG-10031.jpg
  • Tom Dempsey captured this photo of Mt. Rainier (14,411 feet/4392 meters) from Mazama Ridge in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, during mid-October when huckleberry bushes turn red. From Paradise, hike the scenic Lakes Trail counterclockwise (5.5 miles with 1600 feet gain) to Reflection Lakes along Stevens Canyon Road (an alternative starting point), then  up Mazama Ridge and back via Myrtle Falls. (Those with extra energy should extend the loop via Skyline Trail to Panorama Point.) Left to right are Wilson Glacier, Nisqually Glacier, Muir Snowfield, Camp Muir, Paradise-Stevens Glacier, Cowlitz Glacier, Ingraham Glacier, and Whitman Glacier. This image was stitched from 9 overlapping images.   Global warming and climate change: Mount Rainier’s glaciers shrank 22% by area and 25% by volume between 1913 and 1994 in conjunction with rising temperatures (Nylen 2004). As of 2009, monitored glaciers are continuing to retreat (NPS). Over the last century, most glaciers have been shrinking across western North America (Moore et al. 2009) and the globe (Lemke et al. 2007) in association with increasing temperatures.
    1010RAI-207-215pan_Mt-Rainier.jpg
  • Exit Glacier flows from the Harding Icefield in the Kenai Mountains of Alaska, USA. The only road into Kenai Fjords National Park is a spur of the Seward Highway to Exit Glacier, one of the most visited glaciers in Alaska. It was named after the exit of the first recorded crossing of Harding Icefield in 1968. Hike trails to the glacier terminus or up to Harding Icefield. From 1815-1999, the Exit Glacier in Alaska retreated 6549 feet, melting an average of 35 feet per year (according to www.nps.gov/kefj/). Over the past 50 years, Alaska’s winters have warmed by 6.3°F (3.5°C) and its annual average temperature has increased 3.4°F (2.0°C) (Karl et al. 2009). Alaska has warmed more than twice as fast as the continental United States. Since the industrial revolution began, humans have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration by 35% through burning fossil fuels, deforesting land, and grazing livestock. An overwhelming consensus of climate scientists agree that global warming is indeed happening and humans are contributing to it through emission of greenhouse gases (primarily carbon dioxide). The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2007) says "Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice and rising global average sea level. There is very high confidence that the net effect of human activities since 1750 has been one of warming."
    06AK_7001-Exit-Glacier_Kenai-FNP.jpg
  • A waterfall flows from Snowbird Pass, above the toe of Robson Glacier in Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada. Global warming alert: during the past century, Robson Glacier has receded an average of 18 meters per year (1788 meters total from 1911-2010, www.glacierchange.org), and has accelerating melting to 22 meters per year since 1996. An inventory of western Canada glaciers (by Bolch et al 2010) found that from 1985-2005, British Columbia glaciers lost 11% of their area and Alberta glaciers lost 25% of their area. Mount Robson is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site honored by UNESCO in 1984. Panorama stitched from 6 images.
    08CAN-2130-2135pan_Robson-Glacier.jpg
  • In mid October huckleberry bushes on the flanks of Mount Rainier (14,411 feet/4392 meters) turn bright red and yellow. Lakes Trail, Mazama Ridge, near Paradise, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA. Left to right are Wilson Glacier, Nisqually Glacier, Muir Snowfield, Camp Muir, Paradise-Stevens Glacier, Cowlitz Glacier, Ingraham Glacier, Whitman Glacier. Global warming and climate change: Mount Rainier’s glaciers shrank 22% by area and 25% by volume between 1913 and 1994 in conjunction with rising temperatures (Nylen 2004). As of 2009, monitored glaciers are continuing to retreat (NPS). Over the last century, most glaciers have been shrinking across western North America (Moore et al. 2009) and the globe (Lemke et al. 2007) in association with increasing temperatures.
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  • Mount Baker (10,775 feet elevation) rises in the North Cascades 40 miles away from oil tankers in Anacortes, on Fidalgo Island in Skagit County, Washington, USA. Anacortes is known for its Washington State Ferries terminal serving San Juan Islands, Guemes Island, and Victoria via Sidney, British Columbia. "Anacortes" is a consolidation of the name Anna Curtis, who was the wife of early Fidalgo Island settler Amos Bowman.
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  • Mount Baker (10,775 feet elevation) rises behind an oil refinery and yellow flowers at sea level in Anacortes, on Fidalgo Island in Skagit County, Washington, USA. Anacortes is known for its Washington State Ferries terminal serving San Juan Islands, Guemes Island, and Victoria via Sidney, British Columbia. "Anacortes" is a consolidation of the name Anna Curtis, who was the wife of early Fidalgo Island settler Amos Bowman.
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  • Mount Garibaldi (2678 m or 8786 ft) is a potentially active stratovolcano in Garibaldi Provincial Park, east of the Sea to Sky Highway (Route 99) between Squamish and Whistler, in the Coast Range, British Columbia, Canada. Below Mount Garibaldi are Table Mountain and Warren Glacier. Mount Garibaldi began erupting and growing steadily since 250,000 years ago and is the only major Pleistocene age volcano in North America known to have formed on top of a glacier. Although part of the Garibaldi Volcanic Belt within the Cascade Volcanic Arc, it is not considered part of the Cascade Range. The unusually-flat Table Mountain formed just 12,000 years ago from a lava eruption underneath a glacier! Regarding global warming and climate change: from the early 1700s to 2005, half (51%) of the glacial ice cover of Garibaldi Provincial Park melted away (reference: Koch et al. 2008, web.unbc.ca). The record of 1900s glacier fluctuations in Garibaldi Park is similar to that in southern Europe, South America, and New Zealand, suggesting a common, global climatic cause.
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  • From stunning Panorama Ridge, admire the vibrant turquoise color of Garibaldi Lake, which comes from glacial flour suspended in meltwater from Sphinx and Sentinel Glaciers. Garibaldi Provincial Park is east of the Sea to Sky Highway (Route 99) between Squamish and Whistler in the Coast Range, British Columbia, Canada. A hiking loop to Garibaldi Lake via Taylor Meadows Campground is 11 miles (18k) round trip, with 3010 ft (850m) gain. Panorama Ridge is 6 miles (10k) RT with 2066 ft (630m) gain from either Taylor Meadows or Garibaldi Lake Campground (or 17 miles RT with 5100 ft gain from Rubble Creek parking lot). Global warming/climate change: The Helm Glacier (at far left) had an area of 4.3 square kilometers in 1928, but declined by 78% to 0.92 square kilometers as of 2009. The Helm Glacier's melting trend mirrors that of all glaciers in the Pacific Northwest and fits into the pattern of glacier retreat across Canada (measured in the Canadian Glacier Retreat Index). From the early 1700s to 2005, half (51%) of the glacial ice cover of Garibaldi Provincial Park melted away (reference: Koch et al. 2008, web.unbc.ca). The record of 1900s glacier fluctuations in Garibaldi Park is similar to that in southern Europe, South America, and New Zealand, suggesting a common, global climatic cause.  This panorama was stitched from 8 overlapping images.
    1509CAN-1346-53pan_Garibaldi-Lake.jpg
  • In mid October huckleberry bushes on the flanks of Mount Rainier (14,411 feet/4392 meters) turn bright red and yellow. Lakes Trail, Mazama Ridge, near Paradise, Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA. Left to right are Wilson Glacier, Nisqually Glacier, Muir Snowfield, Camp Muir, Paradise-Stevens Glacier, Cowlitz Glacier, Ingraham Glacier, Whitman Glacier. Global warming and climate change: Mount Rainier’s glaciers shrank 22% by area and 25% by volume between 1913 and 1994 in conjunction with rising temperatures (Nylen 2004). As of 2009, monitored glaciers are continuing to retreat (NPS). Over the last century, most glaciers have been shrinking across western North America (Moore et al. 2009) and the globe (Lemke et al. 2007) in association with increasing temperatures.
    1010RAI-235-241pan_Mt-Rainier.jpg
  • Seen through a jet window, a vast ice sheet stretches across Greenland, the world's largest island. This ice cap (Sermersuaq in Greenlandic) contains 10 percent of the world's fresh water, plus atmospheric particles which scientists can use to gain an insight into the climate of both Greenland and the Earth going back some 250,000 years. Scientists report accelerated melting since the new millennium, with a net loss of ice mass. If the entire ice sheet melted, the world's oceans would rise by 6-7 meters (20-23 feet). Greenland's huge ice sheet is only second in size to the Antarctic Ice Sheet. Greenland lies between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. While it is physiographically part of the North American continent, for more than a thousand years Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe (the colonial powers of Norway and Denmark, plus the nearby island of Iceland). In 2008, the people of Greenland passed a referendum making it an autonomous country within the Danish Realm. With a population of about 56,480 in 2013, it is the least densely populated country in the world. (The continent of Australia is larger but isn't considered an island.)
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  • Walk across a blue net suspended over the White Lütschine river gorge, in the Gletscherschlucht of Grindelwald, in Switzerland, Europe. The tongue of Lower Grindelwald Glacier last extended through Gletscherschlucht gorge in 1855 and has receded very rapidly, melting back more than 3.75 kilometers as of 2014. Consistent with a pattern global warming, the glacier may entirely disappear by 2100. Boardwalks and tunnels have been built through the dramatic Gletscherschlucht. From Gletscherschlucht hotel restaurant in Grindelwald, a wooden walkway leads over raging water and through galleries and rocky tunnels over 1000 meters into the ravine, under 100-meter high cliffs. Visitors can amble on a blue net over the foaming torrent. Walk there in 35 minutes from the center of Grindelwald, or take the bus.
    16SWI-6240.jpg
  • A colorful abstract pattern of 250 million-year-old Grindelwald limestone is exposed along the boardwalk within Gletscherschlucht in the White Lütschine river gorge, in Grindelwald, Switzerland, Europe. The Lower Grindelwald Glacier last extended through Gletscherschlucht gorge in 1855 and has receded very rapidly, melting back more than 3.75 kilometers as of 2014. Consistent with a pattern global warming, the glacier may entirely disappear by 2100. From Gletscherschlucht hotel restaurant, a wooden walkway leads over raging water and through galleries and rocky tunnels over a kilometer into the cool ravine, beneath 100-meter-high cliffs. You can walk to Gletscherschlucht in 35 minutes from the center of Grindelwald or take the bus.
    16SWI-6244.jpg
  • You can walk across a blue net suspended over the White Lütschine river gorge in the Gletscherschlucht of Grindelwald, in Switzerland, Europe. The tongue of Lower Grindelwald Glacier last extended through Gletscherschlucht gorge in 1855 and has receded very rapidly, melting back more than 3.75 kilometers as of 2014. Consistent with a pattern global warming, the glacier may entirely disappear by 2100. This image was stitched from multiple overlapping photos. From Gletscherschlucht hotel restaurant in Grindelwald, a wooden walkway leads over raging water, through galleries and rocky tunnels over 1000 meters into the ravine, under 100-meter high cliffs. Visitors can amble on a blue net over the foaming torrent. Walk there in 35 minutes from the center of Grindelwald, or take the bus.
    16SWI-6227-33pan.jpg
  • Dall sheep (Ovis dalli, or thinhorn sheep) on Tachal Dahl (Sheep Mountain) Ridge, St. Elias Mountains, in Kluane National Park and Reserve, Yukon, Canada. Hike Sheep Creek trail (10-15 km with 500-1200 m gain) for spectacular views of the Slims River Valley and surrounding mountains, plus Kluane Lake seen from Soldier's Summit on Tachal Dahl (Sheep Mountain) Ridge. In a startling case of global warming, over 4 days in spring 2016, the Slims River suddenly disappeared, leaving windswept mud flats creating clouds of dust in the formerly clear air. With its main water supply cut off, Kluane Lake will be isolated within a few years, shrinking below its outflow into the Kluane River (which flows into the Donjek River, White River, Yukon River, and eventually the Bering Sea). Kluane Lake chemistry and fish populations are rapidly changing. For the last 300 years, abundant meltwater from the Kaskawulsh Glacier has been channeled by ice dam to drain via the 150-meter wide Slims River, north into Kluane Lake. Between 1956 and 2007, the Kaskawulsh glacier retreated by 600-700m, which most scientists attribute to anthropogenic climate change. Meltwater flooding from accelerating retreat in 2016 carved a new channel through a large ice field, diverting all flows to the Kaskawulsh River, a tributary of the Alsek, which flows into the Gulf of Alaska. This image was stitched from multiple overlapping photos.
    1906AKH-3064-65-Pano.jpg
  • Dall sheep (Ovis dalli, or thinhorn sheep) on Tachal Dahl (Sheep Mountain) Ridge, St. Elias Mountains, in Kluane National Park and Reserve, Yukon, Canada. Hike Sheep Creek trail (10-15 km with 500-1200 m gain) for spectacular views of the Slims River Valley and surrounding mountains, plus Kluane Lake seen from Soldier's Summit on Tachal Dahl (Sheep Mountain) Ridge. In a startling case of global warming, over 4 days in spring 2016, the Slims River suddenly disappeared, leaving windswept mud flats creating clouds of dust in the formerly clear air. With its main water supply cut off, Kluane Lake will be isolated within a few years, shrinking below its outflow into the Kluane River (which flows into the Donjek River, White River, Yukon River, and eventually the Bering Sea). Kluane Lake chemistry and fish populations are rapidly changing. For the last 300 years, abundant meltwater from the Kaskawulsh Glacier has been channeled by ice dam to drain via the 150-meter wide Slims River, north into Kluane Lake. Between 1956 and 2007, the Kaskawulsh glacier retreated by 600-700m, which most scientists attribute to anthropogenic climate change. Meltwater flooding from accelerating retreat in 2016 carved a new channel through a large ice field, diverting all flows to the Kaskawulsh River, a tributary of the Alsek, which flows into the Gulf of Alaska.
    1906AKH-3058.jpg
  • Wind sweeps clouds of dust over Kluane Lake from the A'ay Chu (Slims River Valley), dried since 2016 glacial meltwater diversion, seen from Tachal Dahl (Sheep Mountain) Ridge, St. Elias Mountains, Yukon, Canada. Hike Sheep Creek trail (10-15 km with 500-1200 m gain or 1700-4000 ft) for spectacular views of the Slims River Valley and surrounding St. Elias Mountains, plus Kluane Lake seen from Soldier's Summit on Tachal Dahl (Sheep Mountain) Ridge. In a startling case of climate change, over 4 days in spring 2016, the Slims River suddenly disappeared, leaving windswept mud flats creating clouds of dust in the formerly clear air. With its main water supply diminished to a trickle, Kluane Lake may become an isolated basin within a few years, shrinking below its outflow into the Kluane River (which flows into the Donjek River, White River, Yukon River, and eventually the Bering Sea). Kluane Lake chemistry and fish populations are rapidly changing. For the last 300 years, abundant meltwater from the Kaskawulsh Glacier has been channeled by ice dam to drain via the 150-meter wide Slims River, north into Kluane Lake. Between 1956 and 2007, the Kaskawulsh glacier retreated by 655m, which most scientists attribute to human-caused climate change. Meltwater flooding from accelerating retreat in 2016 carved a new channel through a large ice field, diverting most flows to the Kaskawulsh River, a tributary of the Alsek, which flows into the Gulf of Alaska. Read more at: https://projects.thestar.com/climate-change-canada/yukon/.
    1906AKH-2990.jpg
  • Wind sweeps clouds of dust over Kluane Lake from the A'ay Chu (Slims River Valley), dried since 2016 glacial meltwater diversion, seen from Tachal Dahl (Sheep Mountain) Ridge, St. Elias Mountains, Yukon, Canada. Hike Sheep Creek trail (10-15 km with 500-1200 m gain or 1700-4000 ft) for spectacular views of the Slims River Valley and surrounding St. Elias Mountains, plus Kluane Lake seen from Soldier's Summit on Tachal Dahl (Sheep Mountain) Ridge. In a startling case of climate change, over 4 days in spring 2016, the Slims River suddenly disappeared, leaving windswept mud flats creating clouds of dust in the formerly clear air. With its main water supply diminished to a trickle, Kluane Lake may become an isolated basin within a few years, shrinking below its outflow into the Kluane River (which flows into the Donjek River, White River, Yukon River, and eventually the Bering Sea). Kluane Lake chemistry and fish populations are rapidly changing. For the last 300 years, abundant meltwater from the Kaskawulsh Glacier has been channeled by ice dam to drain via the 150-meter wide Slims River, north into Kluane Lake. Between 1956 and 2007, the Kaskawulsh glacier retreated by 655m, which most scientists attribute to human-caused climate change. Meltwater flooding from accelerating retreat in 2016 carved a new channel through a large ice field, diverting most flows to the Kaskawulsh River, a tributary of the Alsek, which flows into the Gulf of Alaska. Read more at: https://projects.thestar.com/climate-change-canada/yukon/. This image was stitched from multiple overlapping photos captured in June 2019 by Tom Dempsey / PhotoSeek.com.
    1906AKH-2973-p1-p1-Pano.jpg
  • Kluane National Park and Reserve, St. Elias Mountains, Yukon, Canada. Hike Sheep Creek trail (10-15 km with 500-1200 m gain or 1700-4000 ft) for spectacular views of the Slims River Valley and surrounding St. Elias Mountains, plus Kluane Lake seen from Soldier's Summit on Tachal Dahl (Sheep Mountain) Ridge. In a startling case of global warming, over 4 days in spring 2016, the Slims River suddenly disappeared, leaving windswept mud flats creating clouds of dust in the formerly clear air. With its main water supply cut off, Kluane Lake will be isolated within a few years, shrinking below its outflow into the Kluane River (which flows into the Donjek River, White River, Yukon River, and eventually the Bering Sea). Kluane Lake chemistry and fish populations are rapidly changing. For the last 300 years, abundant meltwater from the Kaskawulsh Glacier has been channeled by ice dam to drain via the 150-meter wide Slims River, north into Kluane Lake. Between 1956 and 2007, the Kaskawulsh glacier retreated by 600-700m, which most scientists attribute to anthropogenic climate change. Meltwater flooding from accelerating retreat in 2016 carved a new channel through a large ice field, diverting all flows to the Kaskawulsh River, a tributary of the Alsek, which flows into the Gulf of Alaska. This image was stitched from multiple overlapping photos.
    1906AKH-2903-p1-Pano.jpg
  • Aerial view of McBride Glacier & Muir Inlet, East Arm of Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, USA. Flightseeing from Skagway or Haines is a spectacular way to see Glacier Bay. We were bedazzled by Mountain Flying Service's 1.3-hour West Arm tour from Skagway. Glacier Bay is honored by UNESCO as part of a huge Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage site shared between Canada and the United States. In 1750-80, Glacier Bay was totally covered by ice, which has since radically melted away. In 1794, Captain George Vancover found Icy Strait on the Gulf of Alaska choked with ice, and all but a 3-mile indentation of Glacier Bay was filled by a huge tongue of the Grand Pacific Glacier, 4000 feet deep and 20 miles wide. By 1879, naturalist John Muir reported that the ice had retreated 48 miles up the bay. In 1890, "Glacier Bay" was named by Captain Beardslee of the U.S. Navy. Over the last 200 years, melting glaciers have exposed 65 miles of ocean. As of 2019, glaciers cover only 27% of the Park area. Since the mid 1900s, Alaska has warmed 3 degrees Fahrenheit and its winters have warmed nearly 6 degrees. Human-caused climate change induced by emissions of greenhouse gases continues to accelerate warming at an unprecedented rate. Climate change is having disproportionate effects in the Arctic, which is heating up twice as fast as the rest of Earth.
    1906AKH-5542.jpg
  • Aerial view of Muir Inlet, East Arm of Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, USA. Flightseeing from Skagway or Haines is a spectacular way to see Glacier Bay. We were bedazzled by Mountain Flying Service's 1.3-hour West Arm tour from Skagway. Glacier Bay is honored by UNESCO as part of a huge Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage site shared between Canada and the United States. In 1750-80, Glacier Bay was totally covered by ice, which has since radically melted away. In 1794, Captain George Vancover found Icy Strait on the Gulf of Alaska choked with ice, and all but a 3-mile indentation of Glacier Bay was filled by a huge tongue of the Grand Pacific Glacier, 4000 feet deep and 20 miles wide. By 1879, naturalist John Muir reported that the ice had retreated 48 miles up the bay. In 1890, "Glacier Bay" was named by Captain Beardslee of the U.S. Navy. Over the last 200 years, melting glaciers have exposed 65 miles of ocean. As of 2019, glaciers cover only 27% of the Park area. Since the mid 1900s, Alaska has warmed 3 degrees Fahrenheit and its winters have warmed nearly 6 degrees. Human-caused climate change induced by emissions of greenhouse gases continues to accelerate warming at an unprecedented rate. Climate change is having disproportionate effects in the Arctic, which is heating up twice as fast as the rest of Earth.
    1906AKH-5539.jpg
  • This massive landslide across Lamplugh Glacier crashed from a 4000-foot-high mountainside collapsing in Glacier Bay National Park on June 28, 2016. The debris will eventually be carried 10 miles into Johns Hopkins Inlet. The Fairweather Range comprises the southernmost of the Saint Elias Mountains. Flightseeing from Skagway or Haines is a spectacular way to see Glacier Bay National Park, in Alaska, USA. We were bedazzled by Mountain Flying Service's 1.3-hour West Arm tour from Skagway. Glacier Bay is honored by UNESCO as part of a huge Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage site shared between Canada and the United States. In 1750-80, Glacier Bay was totally covered by ice, which has since radically melted away. In 1794, Captain George Vancover found Icy Strait on the Gulf of Alaska choked with ice, and all but a 3-mile indentation of Glacier Bay was filled by a huge tongue of the Grand Pacific Glacier, 4000 feet deep and 20 miles wide. By 1879, naturalist John Muir reported that the ice had retreated 48 miles up the bay. In 1890, "Glacier Bay" was named by Captain Beardslee of the U.S. Navy. Over the last 200 years, melting glaciers have exposed 65 miles of ocean. As of 2019, glaciers cover only 27% of the Park area. Since the mid 1900s, Alaska has warmed 3 degrees Fahrenheit and its winters have warmed nearly 6 degrees. Human-caused climate change induced by emissions of greenhouse gases continues to accelerate warming at an unprecedented rate. Climate change is having disproportionate effects in the Arctic, which is heating up twice as fast as the rest of Earth.
    1906AKH-5470.jpg
  • This massive landslide across Lamplugh Glacier crashed from a 4000-foot-high mountainside collapsing in Glacier Bay National Park on June 28, 2016. The debris will eventually be carried 10 miles into Johns Hopkins Inlet. The Fairweather Range comprises the southernmost of the Saint Elias Mountains. Flightseeing from Skagway or Haines is a spectacular way to see Glacier Bay National Park, in Alaska, USA. We were bedazzled by Mountain Flying Service's 1.3-hour West Arm tour from Skagway. Glacier Bay is honored by UNESCO as part of a huge Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage site shared between Canada and the United States. In 1750-80, Glacier Bay was totally covered by ice, which has since radically melted away. In 1794, Captain George Vancover found Icy Strait on the Gulf of Alaska choked with ice, and all but a 3-mile indentation of Glacier Bay was filled by a huge tongue of the Grand Pacific Glacier, 4000 feet deep and 20 miles wide. By 1879, naturalist John Muir reported that the ice had retreated 48 miles up the bay. In 1890, "Glacier Bay" was named by Captain Beardslee of the U.S. Navy. Over the last 200 years, melting glaciers have exposed 65 miles of ocean. As of 2019, glaciers cover only 27% of the Park area. Since the mid 1900s, Alaska has warmed 3 degrees Fahrenheit and its winters have warmed nearly 6 degrees. Human-caused climate change induced by emissions of greenhouse gases continues to accelerate warming at an unprecedented rate. Climate change is having disproportionate effects in the Arctic, which is heating up twice as fast as the rest of Earth.
    1906AKH-5407.jpg
  • Aerial view of fast-melting Carroll Glacier, in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, USA. Flightseeing from Skagway or Haines is a spectacular way to see Glacier Bay. We were bedazzled by Mountain Flying Service's 1.3-hour West Arm tour from Skagway. Glacier Bay is honored by UNESCO as part of a huge Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage site shared between Canada and the United States. In 1750-80, Glacier Bay was totally covered by ice, which has since radically melted away. In 1794, Captain George Vancover found Icy Strait on the Gulf of Alaska choked with ice, and all but a 3-mile indentation of Glacier Bay was filled by a huge tongue of the Grand Pacific Glacier, 4000 feet deep and 20 miles wide. By 1879, naturalist John Muir reported that the ice had retreated 48 miles up the bay. In 1890, "Glacier Bay" was named by Captain Beardslee of the U.S. Navy. Over the last 200 years, melting glaciers have exposed 65 miles of ocean. As of 2019, glaciers cover only 27% of the Park area. Since the mid 1900s, Alaska has warmed 3 degrees Fahrenheit and its winters have warmed nearly 6 degrees. Human-caused climate change induced by emissions of greenhouse gases continues to accelerate warming at an unprecedented rate. Climate change is having disproportionate effects in the Arctic, which is heating up twice as fast as the rest of Earth.
    1906AKH-5371.jpg
  • Aerial view of fast-melting Carroll Glacier, in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, USA. Flightseeing from Skagway or Haines is a spectacular way to see Glacier Bay. We were bedazzled by Mountain Flying Service's 1.3-hour West Arm tour from Skagway. Glacier Bay is honored by UNESCO as part of a huge Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage site shared between Canada and the United States. In 1750-80, Glacier Bay was totally covered by ice, which has since radically melted away. In 1794, Captain George Vancover found Icy Strait on the Gulf of Alaska choked with ice, and all but a 3-mile indentation of Glacier Bay was filled by a huge tongue of the Grand Pacific Glacier, 4000 feet deep and 20 miles wide. By 1879, naturalist John Muir reported that the ice had retreated 48 miles up the bay. In 1890, "Glacier Bay" was named by Captain Beardslee of the U.S. Navy. Over the last 200 years, melting glaciers have exposed 65 miles of ocean. As of 2019, glaciers cover only 27% of the Park area. Since the mid 1900s, Alaska has warmed 3 degrees Fahrenheit and its winters have warmed nearly 6 degrees. Human-caused climate change induced by emissions of greenhouse gases continues to accelerate warming at an unprecedented rate. Climate change is having disproportionate effects in the Arctic, which is heating up twice as fast as the rest of Earth.
    1906AKH-5365.jpg
  • Seen from the air, Riggs Glacier drains into the fjord of Muir Inlet in the East Arm of Glacier Bay National Park, in Alaska, USA. Flightseeing from Skagway or Haines is a spectacular way to see Glacier Bay. We were bedazzled by Mountain Flying Service's 1.3-hour West Arm tour from Skagway. Glacier Bay is honored by UNESCO as part of a huge Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage site shared between Canada and the United States. In 1750-80, Glacier Bay was totally covered by ice, which has since radically melted away. In 1794, Captain George Vancover found Icy Strait on the Gulf of Alaska choked with ice, and all but a 3-mile indentation of Glacier Bay was filled by a huge tongue of the Grand Pacific Glacier, 4000 feet deep and 20 miles wide. By 1879, naturalist John Muir reported that the ice had retreated 48 miles up the bay. In 1890, "Glacier Bay" was named by Captain Beardslee of the U.S. Navy. Over the last 200 years, melting glaciers have exposed 65 miles of ocean. As of 2019, glaciers cover only 27% of the Park area. Since the mid 1900s, Alaska has warmed 3 degrees Fahrenheit and its winters have warmed nearly 6 degrees. Human-caused climate change induced by emissions of greenhouse gases continues to accelerate warming at an unprecedented rate. Climate change is having disproportionate effects in the Arctic, which is heating up twice as fast as the rest of Earth.
    1906AKH-5348.jpg
  • Seen from the air, Riggs Glacier drains into the fjord of Muir Inlet in the East Arm of Glacier Bay National Park, in Alaska, USA. Flightseeing from Skagway or Haines is a spectacular way to see Glacier Bay. We were bedazzled by Mountain Flying Service's 1.3-hour West Arm tour from Skagway. Glacier Bay is honored by UNESCO as part of a huge Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage site shared between Canada and the United States. In 1750-80, Glacier Bay was totally covered by ice, which has since radically melted away. In 1794, Captain George Vancover found Icy Strait on the Gulf of Alaska choked with ice, and all but a 3-mile indentation of Glacier Bay was filled by a huge tongue of the Grand Pacific Glacier, 4000 feet deep and 20 miles wide. By 1879, naturalist John Muir reported that the ice had retreated 48 miles up the bay. In 1890, "Glacier Bay" was named by Captain Beardslee of the U.S. Navy. Over the last 200 years, melting glaciers have exposed 65 miles of ocean. As of 2019, glaciers cover only 27% of the Park area. Since the mid 1900s, Alaska has warmed 3 degrees Fahrenheit and its winters have warmed nearly 6 degrees. Human-caused climate change induced by emissions of greenhouse gases continues to accelerate warming at an unprecedented rate. Climate change is having disproportionate effects in the Arctic, which is heating up twice as fast as the rest of Earth. This image was stitched from multiple overlapping photos.
    1906AKH-5324-p1-Pano.jpg
  • For spectacular views over Mendenhall Glacier, hike the West Glacier (Mt. McGinnis) Trail 6-9.5 miles round trip, 1000-3200 feet gain, best late May-September. The Trailhead is a half mile from Mendenhall Campground entrance by road. A good trail skirts the northwest side of Mendenhall Lake then climbs through forest to the bare rock along the glacier's west side, where some scrambling and route finding skills are required. Mendenhall Glacier flows 12 miles from downtown Juneau, Alaska, USA. Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area is a unit of Tongass National Forest. Mendenhall Glacier has retreated 1.75 miles since 1929, when Mendenhall Lake was created, and over 2.5 miles (4.0 km) since 1500. Since the mid 1900s, Alaska has warmed 3 degrees Fahrenheit and its winters have warmed nearly 6 degrees. Human-caused climate change induced by emissions of greenhouse gases continues to accelerate the warming of Alaska at an unprecedented rate. Climate change is having disproportionate effects in the Arctic, which is heating up twice as fast as the rest of Earth. This image was stitched from multiple overlapping photos.
    1906AKH-3720-p1-Pano.jpg
  • For spectacular views over Mendenhall Glacier, hike the West Glacier (Mt. McGinnis) Trail 6-9.5 miles round trip, 1000-3200 feet gain, best late May-September. The Trailhead is a half mile from Mendenhall Campground entrance by road. A good trail skirts the northwest side of Mendenhall Lake then climbs through forest to the bare rock along the glacier's west side, where some scrambling and route finding skills are required. Mendenhall Glacier flows 12 miles from downtown Juneau, Alaska, USA. Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area is a unit of Tongass National Forest. Mendenhall Glacier has retreated 1.75 miles since 1929, when Mendenhall Lake was created, and over 2.5 miles (4.0 km) since 1500. Since the mid 1900s, Alaska has warmed 3 degrees Fahrenheit and its winters have warmed nearly 6 degrees. Human-caused climate change induced by emissions of greenhouse gases continues to accelerate the warming of Alaska at an unprecedented rate. Climate change is having disproportionate effects in the Arctic, which is heating up twice as fast as the rest of Earth. This image was stitched from multiple overlapping photos.
    1906AKH-3718-p1-Pano.jpg
  • Crevasses in Mendenhall Glacier. Juneau, Alaska, USA. For spectacular views over Mendenhall Glacier, hike the West Glacier (Mt. McGinnis) Trail 6-9.5 miles round trip, 1000-3200 feet gain, best late May-September. The Trailhead is a half mile from Mendenhall Campground entrance by road. A good trail skirts the northwest side of Mendenhall Lake then climbs through forest to the bare rock along the glacier's west side, where some scrambling and route finding skills are required. Mendenhall Glacier flows 12 miles from downtown Juneau. Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area is a unit of Tongass National Forest. Mendenhall Glacier has retreated 1.75 miles since 1929, when Mendenhall Lake was created, and over 2.5 miles (4.0 km) since 1500. Since the mid 1900s, Alaska has warmed 3 degrees Fahrenheit and its winters have warmed nearly 6 degrees. Human-caused climate change induced by emissions of greenhouse gases continues to accelerate the warming of Alaska at an unprecedented rate. Climate change is having disproportionate effects in the Arctic, which is heating up twice as fast as the rest of Earth.
    1906AKH-3670.jpg
  • Slow regrowth of vegetation and trees, 29 years after the intense Rainbow Fire of 1992 is shown on a smoky 21st of August in 2021, in Devils Postpile National Monument, Inyo National Forest, near Mammoth Lakes, California, USA. Smoke drifting from the bad Caldor, Dixie, and other fires frequently smarted our eyes during 3 weeks of hiking in the Eastern Sierra in August of 2021. On September 1, most of California's National Forests were unprecedentedly closed due to fire risk for two weeks! Decades of fire exclusion policies, years of below-normal snow and rainfall, a hot summer, and remote upslope location provided fuel and conditions ripe for the 1992 Rainbow Fire, a conflagration sparked by lightning strikes. Scientists warn that human-caused climate change has made the U.S. West warmer and drier in the past 30 years and will continue to make the weather more extreme and wildfires more destructive.
    2108CA1-698.jpg
  • Mt. Ritter, Banner Peak, and smoke loom over Garnet Lake in Ansel Adams Wilderness, Inyo National Forest, California, USA. We backpacked for 5 days from Agnew Meadows to Thousand Island Lake, Garnet Lake, Ediza Lake, and Minaret Lake. Smoke drifting from the bad Caldor, Dixie, and other fires frequently smarted our eyes during 3 weeks of hiking in the Eastern Sierra in August of 2021. Then on September 1, most of California's National Forests were unprecedentedly closed for two weeks due to fire risk! Decades of fire exclusion policies, below-normal snow and rainfall, and increasingly hotter summers provides fuel and conditions ripe for forest fires sparked by both lightning and humans. Scientists warn that human-caused climate change has made the U.S. West warmer and drier in the past several decades and will continue to make the weather more extreme and wildfires more destructive. Multiple overlapping photos were stitched to make this panorama.
    2108CA2-0734-735-Pano.jpg
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