|
 
Portage and Whittier, Alaska: The Vanishing Portage Glacier
 e
all know that many of the world’s glaciers are currently
receding. This phenomenon is strikingly evident at Portage
Glacier (and again, outside of Seward, at Exit Glacier).
At Portage, the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center used to squarely
face the massive blue Portage Glacier directly in front
of it. But, only a few years after the Forest Service built
the visitor facility in 1986, Portage Glacier receded -
around a corner of Portage Lake and out of view. Now, tourists
can only view the glacier's face from a tour boat. You can,
however, see the icebergs of the melting glacier as they
bob by in Portage Lake. The 5-mile long glacier ends in
water, so it calves (or drops icebergs) right into the lake,
just like a tidewater glacier. A hundred years ago, the
glacier filled the current lake, and scientists say it's
water depth, not warmer climate, that's melting this glacier.
The water is deep, and the glacier retreats around 330 feet
a year. Note that the icebergs that calf (break off) from
the glacier's face are much larger than they appear. Only
around 10% shows above the water. Do not try to walk on
them. |
|
|
