Recent Thinning and Ice Loss from Alaskan Valley Glaciers

Nature Communications, 22 August 2025

The Kennicott and Root Glaciers, two of Alaska’s most accessible large valley glaciers in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, were mostly stable during the first half of the 20th century, but have been rapidly thinning since then, with Kennicott Glacier losing 1.43 meters per year this past decade compared to the 0.44 meters per year it was losing in the late 1950s-1970s. Under very high emissions (SSP5-8.5), Kennicott and Root Glacier could respectively lose 63% and 58% of their ice by 2100. In contrast, under low emissions (SSP1-2.6), these two glaciers would only lose roughly 40% of their ice.

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