What is it about?
This report summarizes the area and volume changes of all the glaciers in the western continental US.
Featured Image
Photo by Eric Hooper on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Glacier meltwater is important to streamflow during the dry late summer when seasonal snow cover has largely disappeared. It helps maintain ecosystems in the streams and along the stream banks. Cool water provided by the glaciers help maintain cold-adapted fish and other aquatic wildlife. In a few cases, glacier meltwater contributes to hydroelectric power and agricultural needs. As glaciers retreat and disappear their beneficial contributions will also vanish resulting in more frequent droughts in alpine ecosystems and less water available to human uses.
Perspectives
I was surprised by the magnitude of glacier loss and the number of glaciers that have disappeared.
andrew fountain
Portland State University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Extensive glacier loss in the coterminous United States, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, October 2026, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2600941123.
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