The image centers the waters of a fjord and surrounding mountains. Glaciers meet the waters at the top left, the west branch and top right, the Main Branch. The waters converge and make their way toward open ocean out of from at the bottom center. At the bottom center is Heather Island. Mountains at the bottom of the image are green with foliage, but peaked with snow coverage. Further up the image the land is nearly entirely snow covered. On the right edge of where the meltwater branches converge Great Nunatak is labeled. A rocky outcrop is labelled between Great Nunatak and the leading edge of the Main Branch.

Alaska’s Iconic Columbia Glacier Still Retreats

The glacier’s Main Branch pulled away from a stabilizing rocky outcrop, while melting along the West Branch exposed “new gravelly real estate.” View the full story

Credits: NASA Earth Observatory/Wanmei Liang
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TakenAugust 5, 2024
Image CreditNASA Earth Observatory/Wanmei Liang
Size720x480px