Glacier Bay

Glacier Bay
Glacier Bay is now part of a national park. One of its distinctions is that it is the area of the fastest large-scale glacial retreat ever recorded. In the late 1700s Glacier Bay did not exist; it was a giant icefield. But in the past 200 years the ice has retreated over 60 miles, and the glacial trough has been filled in by the sea. A number of glaciers descending the rugged mountains still reach the water, however. If you're fortunate you may see chunks of the glacial faces break off and crash into the water, an event called "calving."

Lamplugh Glacier

Margerie Glacier

close-up of Margerie Glacier; the height of this glacier's face above the water is over 200'

Margerie Glacier