It flows from the southern half of the huge Juneau Icefield, which begins in the Boundary Ranges along the Alaska-Canada border. It is part of Tongass National Forest and is located 13 miles (21 km) northwest of Juneau; it is the only glacier in the region that is readily accessible by highway year-round. Visitors can hike via the East Glacier Loop to an overlook within 1 mile (1,600 m) of the glacier. By uncovering them, scientists learn about the ecosystem from before the glacier formed.
It extends from the Juneau Icefield, its source, to Mendenhall Lake. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Mendenhall-Glacier. According to the Junean Icefield Research Program, it has receded 12 miles since 1958. The glacier and surrounding landscape is protected as part of the 5,815 acres (2,353 ha) Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area, a federally designated unit of the Tongass National Forest. For example, Anchorage, the most populated city in Alaska and many people there rely on the Eklutna glacier for their freshwater. Mendenhall Glacier, blue ice sheet, 12 miles (19 km) long, southeastern Alaska, U.S. ◼ It looks amazingly beautiful due to its blue-colored hue, the ice absorbs all colors of the spectrum except blue, which it reflects back. 2009 Estimated area 95.27 square km (36.8 square miles) (not including the Mendenhall Towers glacier). And it is one of the 38 glaciers flowing down the Juneau Icefield. ◼ It is about 1.5 miles (2.4km) wide and more than 100 ft ( 30 meters) high at its terminus.
Due to climatic conditions and human activities, the ice is melting at a faster pace, threatening the ecological system and threatening the freshwater source of this area.
We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The Sidtya restaurant originally served pie and coffee in the center. There are two accessible entrances – an upper entrance with a ramp and a lower entrance with elevators.
Mendenhall Glacier, blue ice sheet, 12 miles (19 km) long, southeastern Alaska, U.S. ◼ Mendenhall Lake fronts the glacier at the terminus, and the ice extends 150-250 feet under the water. This is contrasted with current conditions today, related to climate change. The glacier originally had two names: Sitaantaagu … It located about 5 miles from the Juneau International Airport. McGinnis in Juneau, Alaska, flows and slips under the edge of the glacier, where, over thousands of years, it has carved massive caves through ice. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It was originally named Sitaantaagu (“the Glacier Behind the Town”) or Aak’wtaaksit (“the Glacier Behind the Little Lake”) by the Tlingit Indians. Would you like to write for us?
But it also faces real danger from global warming, and soon, it may become one of the extinct wonders of the world, the need to preserve such surreal natural occurrences is the need of the hour. Finally, in 1891, it was named Mendenhall Glacier in honor of the noted American scientist Thomas Corwin Mendenhall. The increased amount of snow will feed the icefield, possibly enough to offset the continually increasing melting experienced at the glacier's terminus. Visitors can take a guided tour by the USDA Forest Service Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, which is located 12 miles from downtown Juneau in the Mendenhall Valley.
The glacier was named Auke (Auk) Glacier by naturalist John Muir for the Tlingit Auk Kwaan (or Aak'w Kwaan) band in 1879. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. All other activities outside the center are free of charge, including Nugget Falls trail, the Trail of Time, and East Glacier/Nugget Creek trail. [3], The Juneau Icefield Research Program has monitored the outlet glaciers of the Juneau Icefield since 1942, including Mendenhall Glacier. Adjacent Mendenhall Lake began to form about 1900 and has become about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long, 1 mile (1.6 km) wide, and 220 feet (65 metres) deep near the centre of the glacier’s face. Elevated boardwalks above Steep Creek provide salmon and bear viewing opportunities. Mendenhall Glacier (also Sitaantaagu) is a glacier about 13.6 miles (21.9 km) long located in Mendenhall Valley, about 12 miles (19 km) from downtown Juneau in the southeast area of the U.S. state of Alaska. Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau Alaska, seen in August 2008 with Mendenhall Lake. "[9] It is expected the glacier face will soon pull out of the lake. Mendenhall Glacier (also Sitaantaagu) is a glacier about 13.6 miles (21.9 km) long located in Mendenhall Valley, about 12 miles (19 km) from downtown Juneau in the southeast area of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is 12 miles (19 km) from downtown Juneau in the southeast of the U.S. state of Alaska. The Mendenhall Glacier is a 12-mile-long glacier in the Mendenhall Valley, only 12 miles from downtown Juneau in southeast Alaska. Some have dated around 1,870 to 2,000 years old."[11][16].
This area is highly recommended for fishing. [11][12], Although there are many negative effects of the recession of the Mendenhall Glacier and glaciers in general, there are also a few positive outcomes. This is because increasing amounts of warm, moist air will be carried up to the head of the icefield, where colder ambient temperatures will cause it to precipitate as snow. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. [8] In a joint article for the Juneau Empire Geologist Cathy Connor and Geophysicist Roman Motyka, both professors of the University of Alaska said "climatic warming coupled with ice loss through iceberg calving are the reasons the Mendenhall Glacier is retreating and shrinking. [2] The glacier and surrounding landscape is protected as part of the 5,815 acres (2,353 ha) Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area, a federally designated unit of the Tongass National Forest. The exhibits also depict the variety of wildlife in the area including mountain goats, black bears, and salmon in the nearby streams. The two small parking lots have access to several trails in the area.
Programs cover ecological and cultural history, and events in Southeast Alaska. We've created informative articles that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! The building was expanded, renovated and rededicated in 1999. From the Juneau Icefield, the Mendenhall Glacier extends to its ending point at Mendenhall Lake. The glacier has also retreated 1.75 miles (2.82 km) since 1929, when Mendenhall Lake was created, and over 2.5 miles (4.0 km) since 1500.
The 0.8 miles (1,300 m) Nugget Falls Trail leads visitors to Nugget Falls, closer to the face of the glacier. ◼ The deposited glacial matter is known as ‘Moraine’, it is estimated to be ½-inch every year between Juneau and Douglas Island. On that same site is a Google Earth map of the “Mendenhall and other glaciers in Google Earth.” Mendenhall Glacier Size . ◼ It is the only glacier that is accessible around the year by highway. ◼ There are remnants of a long buried ancient forest, it is said that it’s more than 1,000 years old and is now being exposed due to the melting of the glacier. Photo was made by Gary Braasch as part of his World View of Global Warming documentation project. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. The native Tlingit Indians named the glacier Sitaantaagu: The Glacier behind the Town or Aak’wtaaksit: The Glacier behind the Little Lake. In addition to the busy summer season, the center hosts the Fireside Lecture series on Friday evenings, January through March. The trimline on the mountainsides where the glacier used to be is evident, as is a large ridge which had been covered by the glacier. If the recession of this glacier continues they will be out of their main source of water. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. It was originally named Sitaantaagu (“the Glacier Behind the Town”) or Aak’wtaaksit (“the Glacier Behind the Little Lake”) by the Tlingit Indians. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Over 90% of the money collected from the fees remains on-site. One of the scientists, Cathy Conner, was reported as finding "The most recent stumps emerging from the Mendenhall are between 1,400 and 1,200 years old. We hope you enjoy this website. Copyright © US Travelia & Buzzle.com, Inc. ◼ The visitor center operates on a daily basis from 8 am to 7.30 pm, May to September, and during winter hours Friday-Sunday 10 am to 4 pm, October to April. The glacier is retreating due to a generally warming climate in Southeast Alaska, linked to global warming driven by climate change. Mendenhall Glacier Size 2009 Estimated area 95.27 square km (36.8 square miles) (not including the Mendenhall Towers glacier). It was originally known as Sitaantaago ("the Glacier Behind the Town") or Aak'wtaaksit ("the Glacier Behind the Little Lake"), also Latinized as Aakwtaaksit,[5] by the Tlingit. Due to the constant melting of the glacier, the caves have shrunk to one-third their original size, changing their color from deep turquoise to a lighter shade and in some cases to a dirtier blue. Click on Mendenhall Glacier Facts. This icefield covers more than 1,500 square miles and runs all the way from the Taku River up to the town of Skagway - a distance of approximately 90 miles. The ice extends about 150 – 250 feet under the water, Calving leads to the formation of large icebergs on the lake, Waterfalls have carved huge caves through the ice, Due to the constant melting, the caves have shrunk to one-third their original size. These cookies do not store any personal information. In 1891 it was renamed in honor of Thomas Corwin Mendenhall.
Omissions? We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It extends from its source Juneau Icefield to Mendenhall Lake and river. ◼ The falling snow created pressure and made the ice below compact, the process continued until the weight of the glacier caused it to flow like a river down the mountain. There is no fee for parking. The glacier is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) wide and more than 100 feet (30 metres) high at its terminus. In 1892, the glacier was renamed as Mendenhall after Thomas Corwin Mendenhall, who helped determine the boundary between Alaska and Canada. Once these glaciers are gone these people will need another source. ◼ They are a brilliant turquoise-colored caves, giving it a very surreal existence. The Mendenhall Glacier is a breathtakingly beautiful place in blue and white, where water runs over rocks under blue ceilings inside a partially hollow glacier.
These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. "[7] The Mendenhall Glacier has retreated approximately 2.5 miles since its most recent maxima during the Little Ice Age in the mid-1700s. The Mendenhall Lake was formed due to the melting of the glacier. ◼ The real beauty of the glacier lies beneath it in the form of ice caves. For the people in this region, the glacier represents their main freshwater source, and the rapid retreat of the glacier has endangered their main source of water.