Agassiz Ice Cap

Agassiz Ice Cap is a vast expanse of ice on Ellesmere Island in Nunavut, stretching between the North Ellesmere Ice Field and Prince of Wales Icefield. The surface sits at roughly 1,600 meters in elevation and covers an area spanning thousands of square kilometers.

This glacier formed during the last ice age and has persisted in this Arctic region for thousands of years. Scientists have been extracting ice cores from this location since the 1970s to study Earth's climate and atmospheric history.

Inuit communities in Nunavut observe changes at this glacier and contribute their knowledge of the Arctic landscape to research projects conducted on site. Their understanding of ice patterns and seasonal shifts helps shape the scientific work happening here.

Reaching this ice field is extremely difficult and requires specialized equipment plus careful preparation for harsh Arctic conditions. Visits are essentially limited to scientific expeditions or professional research projects.

The ice mass has been noticeably shrinking in recent decades, showing ongoing changes in the Arctic environment. This visible melting makes it a key location for observing global climate patterns.