A pair of northeast-looking photographs, both taken from photo Station 4, established in 1941 by William O. Field, on White Thunder Ridge, Muir Inlet, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska. The pair documents the significant changes that have occurred during the 63 years between August 13, 1941 and August 31, 2004. The 1941 photograph shows Muir and Riggs Glaciers filling Muir Inlet and extended south beyond the edge of the photograph. Note the absence of any identifiable vegetation in the 1941 photograph. The 2004 photograph documents the retreat of Muir Glacier out of the field of view and the significant thinning and retreat of Riggs Glacier. Note the dense growth of alder and the correlation between Muir Glacier’s 1941 thickness and the trimline on the left side of the 2004 photograph. Muir Glacier was more than 2,000 feet thick in 1941.

Photos from San Francisco Chronicle

Photographers:
1941 - USGS Photograph - Field 41-64
2004 - USGS Photograph by Bruce Molnia