Boat Ramp Glacier near Skagway Alaska Credit: MOS/NPS
Research Geologist Bruce Molnia of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has authored a comprehensive report on the condition of glaciers in Alaska that bears an obvious title The Glaciers of Alaska . Glaciers are ubiquitous features of the Alaskan landscape and contribute to our mental image of the Great Land.
A disturbing conclusion for most residents in Molnia’s work is that almost every glacier in Alaska is in significant retreat. Ninety-nine percent of the glaciers studied have thinned, halted or retreated from historical positions. Not surprisingly in this period of climate change, glaciers at lower elevations have changed considerably. Read More »
Technorati Tags: Alaska Glaciers, Glacier, Glaciology
Aurora Viewed from Fairbanks, Alaska Photo: Alan Sorum
Alaska being part of the circumpolar north experiences displays of northern lights or Aurora Borealis frequently in the winter months. These natural light shows can stretch from horizon to horizon and display remarkable variations in their color and intensity. Aurora viewing is popular with Alaska residents and visitors alike. Being able to witness the northern lights depends on a combination of favorable solar activity and clear skies. One way that you can improve the odds of viewing a good auroral display is to consult the aurora forecasts made by the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF).
The Science of Space Weather
Auroras are created at extreme latitudes as highly charged particles erupting from solar disturbances stream into the upper atmosphere of the earth. The color of the aurora depends on the altitude of the aurora and atmospheric density found at that level. Auroral altitudes can vary from 80 to 600 kilometers above the earth’s surface. Atmospheric gasses like oxygen and nitrogen display unique colors when charged particles strike them with enough force to split their molecules. Oxygen produces red and green lights, while nitrogen creates blue to red to purple colors. Read More »
Technorati Tags: aurora, aurora forecast, Space Weather
Skagway Alaska Waterfront 1899 Credit: Library of Congress
Nearly 110 years ago, a wave of seemingly ordinary people poured relentlessly into the North, suffering incredible hardships to seek their fortunes toiling in the frozen earth. Thousands of these erstwhile adventurers crossed through the wild expanses of Alaska, British Columbia, and the Yukon in the years of 1897 and 1898; reaching out for the bright Klondike goldfields found near Dawson City.
Nothing has captured people’s imagination of and allure to the North more than this epic period of stampeders overcoming the elements and terrain in search of gold. Iconic stories remain clear in our memories and have been retold by others thousands of times: the S.S. Portland’s arrival in Seattle with the first of the Klondike miners and their gold, Soapy Smith’s confidence gang in Skagway, the short existence of the town of Dyea, the line of men climbing the Golden Staircase packing gear up the Chilkoot Trail, floating across Lake Bennett and down the Yukon River, and reaching the goldfields of Dawson City. Read More »
Technorati Tags: IKGRT, International Klondike Gold Rush Trail, Klondike Gold Rush
Riggs Glacier at Muir Inlet, Glacier Bay NP Credit: NOAA/John Bortniak
Sparked by concerns over the condition of our national parks, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) established a working group known as the Center for the State of the Parks in the year 2000. Chief among the group’s goals was to develop a complete and comprehensive understanding of resource conditions as they exist in our national parks and preserves.
As part of this national effort, the State of the Parks Program evaluated the condition of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve and released their report in September of 2008. In Alaska and even nationally, Glacier Bay is considered to be one of the most spectacular and significant parks to be administered by the National Park Service (NPS). Read More »
Technorati Tags: Glacier Bay, National Parks
