Bagley Icefield, Ice field in Valdez-Cordova Census Area, United States
Bagley Icefield is a vast expanse of interconnected ice spanning hundreds of kilometers across southeastern Alaska, representing one of North America's largest glacial systems outside the polar regions. The ice surface is carved with deep crevasses and shows the layered patterns that form over centuries of snow accumulation and compression.
The ice field takes its name from James W. Bagley, an engineer who mapped and surveyed Alaska in the early 1900s. Since then it has become the focus of ongoing research that tracks how glacial systems evolve over time.
Scientists from around the world come here to study how glaciers respond to climate change and what that means for our planet. This work makes the place a living laboratory where people can witness the ongoing shifts in ice systems.
Visitors need specialized equipment and must always travel with experienced guides who understand the hazards and can plan safe routes across the ice. Weather conditions can change rapidly in this remote region, so preparation and attention to local conditions are essential.
The ice mass reaches depths exceeding 1000 meters at its thickest points and feeds several major glacier systems including the Guyot Glacier that flow downhill from it. This enormous thickness and scale make it one of North America's most powerful ice reservoirs, shaping both regional water systems and local climate.
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