Heard Island glaciers

The glaciers of Heard Island stretch across 257 square kilometers, extending from an elevation of 2745 meters down to sea level with ice thickness reaching 150 meters.

The Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions conducted the first detailed surveys of these glaciers in 1948, documenting their extent and characteristics for scientific research.

Scientists from multiple nations gather data from these glaciers to study climate patterns, contributing to international understanding of environmental changes in subantarctic regions.

Research teams access the glaciers during spring expeditions when weather conditions permit safe travel and data collection on the remote volcanic island.

The Brown Glacier has experienced a 29 percent reduction in surface area between 1947 and 2003, reflecting temperature increases in this subantarctic environment.

Location: Heard Island and McDonald Islands

GPS coordinates: -53.10000,73.51670

Latest update: April 7, 2025 22:29