Hundreds of Glaciers Have Disappeared in the Western United States

Over recent decades, 398 glaciers in the western regions of the United States have completely disappeared as a result of natural changes.

At the same time, the total area covered by glaciers in the region has decreased by about 35%.

In a study led by Portland State University professor Andrew Fountain, historical topographic maps were compared with modern satellite and aerial imagery.

Maps from the second half of the 20th century showed 1,453 glaciers covering a total area of 562 square kilometers. By 2015, their number had fallen to 1,331, while their total area had decreased to 367 square kilometers.

The difference between the number of glaciers that disappeared and the overall decline in glacier count is explained by the fact that some larger glaciers melted and split into several smaller sections, which were then counted as separate glaciers.

During the study period, the total volume of glacier ice declined from 19.7 cubic kilometers to 13.2 cubic kilometers.

The zone with the highest concentration of glaciers shifted about 50 meters higher up the mountain slopes.

The research shows that, excluding Alaska, a significant share of glacier ice in the contiguous United States is concentrated in the North Cascade Mountains.

This region contains around 11.6 cubic kilometers of ice, accounting for nearly 89% of the total glacier volume in the areas studied.