Grand Pacific Glacier, Tidewater glacier in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska and British Columbia
Grand Pacific Glacier is a tidewater glacier that flows from the Saint Elias Mountains into Tarr Inlet along the Alaska-Canada border, stretching across two countries. The ice mass displays visible signs of movement and change as it pushes forward and sheds chunks into the water below.
In the 1700s, this glacier filled all of Glacier Bay, extending from the Saint Elias Mountains to Icy Strait as one continuous mass. Since then, the ice has retreated significantly, reshaping the entire landscape of this coastal region.
The Tlingit and other indigenous peoples of the region tell stories about this glacier that have been passed down through generations, shaping their understanding of the landscape and seasonal change.
Visitors reach the glacier by boat from Glacier Bay, where it is common to witness chunks of ice breaking away and falling into the water. The best time to visit is during warmer months when visibility is clear and water passages are most accessible.
The western portion of this glacier is blanketed in a thick layer of rock debris that insulates the ice beneath, slowing its melt significantly. This protective rock layer keeps that side thicker and more stable compared to the cleaner eastern section, which melts more rapidly.
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