Glacier change and measurement

A glacier margin meets rocky moraine and branching meltwater channels.
Imagined glacial landscape

A glacier’s mass balance reflects accumulation and losses. Area, thickness, volume and mass describe related but different properties.

Repeated imagery can show changing margins. Estimating a water contribution or total ice loss needs additional measurements and a defined timescale.

Put the concept to work

Percentage change · Map scale and distance · Source evaluation