SNAP!

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Their creaking and groaning break the still silence of Alaska. A pause…and then the sound of thunderous crashing as the glacier “calves” into the frigid waters below. Dozens of birds, relaxing amiably on the ice, scatter into the air.

And then it is silent again…except for the rapid fire camera clicking of those admiring the show. This great shedding into the sea happens as pieces of glacier, warmed by the Alaskan summer sun, break off and fall into the sea. There are estimated to be over 100,000 glaciers in the state. These rivers of ice, coerced by gravity and the path of least resistance, make their way from high elevations toward the land and waters below.

Glaciers are patient, slow moving formations that leave formidable footprints as they go. These massive bodies, made up of ice, sediment and rock, have etched and carved the familiar mountain valleys, peaks, and ridges that mark Alaska’s famous landscape. Although the Great Ice Age stretches back almost two million years, these ice fields are a mere 10-15,000 years old…youthful by geologic standards.

Over the centuries, these patient artists have continued to make their daily crawl, moving a few feet or a few hundred, a day. Glaciers are fed at their elevated peaks by falling snow and the formation of ice.  Global warming is said to be hastening the melting of the Alaskan glaciers and slowing the feeding of ice to existing glaciers.

Ahhh, The Blue Ice

Ice ages as it’s compressed. It's melted and frozen over and over again, eliminating air bubbles that scatter the light rays. White light is absorbed and more of the blue (shorter wavelength) light is left, promoting the deep blue color.

Story and photos by Sandy Klim