Harvard Glacier

Harvard Glacier is a tidewater glacier in College Fjord within Prince William Sound, where the massive ice face meets the water. The glacier descends steeply into the bay and displays deep crevasses and fractures across its surface.

The glacier was named during a Harvard University expedition in 1890 when researchers first explored the region. This naming reflects the scientific interest that American universities had in studying Alaska's ice formations during that era.

The glacier serves as an educational site for researchers studying glacial movements and environmental changes in the Chugach National Forest region.

The glacier is best reached by boat or cruise tours that regularly travel through Prince William Sound. Viewing from the water provides the best perspective, and visitors should wear warm clothing since conditions on the water are much colder than on land.

The glacier is in a state of steady advance, which is rare among tidewater glaciers and shows it defies the global trend of glacier retreat. This exceptional condition makes it an important location for monitoring climate patterns in Alaska.

Location: Alaska

GPS coordinates: 61.38890,-147.43600

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:47