LiveScience Image Gallery

Glaciers Before and After

1913 photograph by W. C. Alden (Glacier National Park Archives)

Agassiz Glacier (1913)

BEFORE: Take a look at Agassiz Glacier, in this photograph taken in 1913, near Boulder Pass, Glacier National Park. NEXT IMAGE: Agassiz Glacier (2005) Click to enlarge.
2005 photograph by Greg Pederson (USGS)

Agassiz Glacier (2005)

AFTER: Compare it to this 2005 photograph of Agassiz Glacier taken from the same location (near Boulder Pass, Glacier National Park) Click to enlarge.
1914 photograph by E. C. Stebinger, Glacier National Park Archives

Blackfoot-Jackson Glacier Complex (1914)

BEFORE: At the time the 1914 photograph was taken Blackfoot Glacier encompassed the current Jackson Glacier. NEXT IMAGE: Blackfoot-Jackson Glacier Complex (2001) Click to enlarge.
2001 photograph by Blase Reardon, USGS

Blackfoot-Jackson Glacier Complex (2001)

AFTER: The 2001 photograph shows that each glacier has receded to the confines of its own cirque. Click to enlarge.
1932 photograph by George Grant (Glacier National Park Archives)

Boulder Glacier (1932)

BEFORE: Shown above is a picture of Boulder Glacier, taken near Boulder Pass, Glacier National Park, in 1932. The foreground rocks provided an excellent reference point to re-photograph the historic photo. NEXT IMAGE: Boulder Glacier (2005) Click to enlarge.
2005 photograph by Greg Pederson (USGS)

Boulder Glacier (2005)

AFTER: Boulder Glacier photographed from nearly 73 years later from the same place as the 1932 photo. The foreground rocks provided an excellent reference point to re-photograph the historic photo. Click to enlarge.
1911 photograph by M. R. Campbell (USGS)

Chaney Glacier Terminus (1911)

BEFORE: View of Chaney Glacier terminus, Glacier National Park, in 1911. NEXT IMAGE: Chaney Glacier Terminus (2005) Click to enlarge.
2005 photograph by Blase Reardon (USGS)

Chaney Glacier Terminus (2005)

AFTER: View of Chaney Glacier terminus, Glacier National Park, in 2005. Click to enlarge.
1902 photograph by Morton Elrod (Glacier National Park Archives)

Grant Glacier (1902)

BEFORE: 1902 photograph of Grant Glacier from Grant Ridge, Flathead National Forest, Montana. NEXT IMAGE: Grant Glacier (1998) Click to enlarge.
1998 photograph by Karen Holzer (USGS)

Grant Glacier (1998)

AFTER: 1998 Photograph of Grant Glacier from Grant Ridge, Flathead National Forest, Montana. Click to enlarge.
1938 photograph by T.J. Hileman (Glacier National Park Archives)

Grinnell Glacier from Mt. Gould (1938)

BEFORE: An Oblique view of Grinnell Glacier is taken from the summit of Mount Gould, Glacier National Park in 1938. The relative sensitivity of glaciers to climate change is illustrated by the dramatic recession of Grinnell Glacier while surrounding vegetation patterns remain stable. NEXT IMAGE: Grinnell Glacier from Mt. Gould (2005) Click to enlarge.
2005 photograph by Blase Reardon (USGS)

Grinnell Glacier from Mt. Gould (2005)

AFTER: The lake continues to enlarge as the glacier recedes. Icebergs can be seen floating in Upper Grinnell Lake in this photo taken in 2005. Click to enlarge.
Circa 1940 photograph by unknown photographer (Glacier National Park Archives)

Grinnell Glacier from Overlook (1940)

BEFORE: Grinnell Glacier taken from the Grinnell Glacier Overlook off the Highline Trail, Glacier National Park. The view of Grinnell Glacier taken circa 1940 shows the early formation of Upper Grinnell Lake, a pro-glacier lake visible at the terminus of the glacier. NEXT IMAGE: Grinnell Glacier from Overlook (2004) Click to enlarge.
2004 photograph by Karen Holzer (USGS)

Grinnell Glacier from Overlook (2004)

AFTER: The 2004 photo shows a dramatic increase in the size of the lake as a result of melting ice. Click to enlarge.
1901 photograph by F. E. Matthes (Glacier National Park Archives)

Sexton Glacier (1901)

BEFORE: Sexton Glacier photographed in 1901 from bench below Siyeh Pass, Glacier National Park. NEXT IMAGE: Sexton Glacier (1998) Click to enlarge.
1998 photograph by Lisa McKeon (USGS)

Sexton Glacier (1998)

AFTER: Sexton Glacier photographed in 1998 from bench below Siyeh Pass, Glacier National Park. Click to enlarge.
1913 photograph by W. C. Alden (Glacier National Park Archives)

Shepard Glacier (1913)

BEFORE: The picture above, photographed in 1913, shows Shepard Glacier from Pyramid Peak, Glacier National Park. NEXT IMAGE: Shepard Glacier (2005) Click to enlarge.
2005 photograph by Blase Reardon (USGS)

Shepard Glacier (2005)

AFTER: Shepard Glacier from Pyramid Peak, Glacier National Park, photographed in 2005. Click to enlarge.
Circa 1900 photograph by F. E. Matthes (Glacier National Park Archives)

Swiftcurrent Glacier (1900)

BEFORE: Photograph of the Swiftcurrent Glacier, taken in 1900 from the Swiftcurrent trail, Glacier National Park. NEXT IMAGE: Swiftcurrent Glacier (1998) Click to enlarge.
1998 photograph by Karen Holzer (USGS)

Swiftcurrent Glacier (1998)

AFTER: Photograph of the Swiftcurrent Glacier, taken in 1988 from the Swiftcurrent trail, Glacier National Park. Click to enlarge.