Athabasca Glacier

About

The Athabasca Glacier is a prominent feature of the Canadian Rockies, located within the Columbia Icefield. It is approximately 6 km long and covers an area of 6 km², with a thickness ranging from 90 to 300 meters. This glacier is one of the most accessible and visited in North America, offering tourists a unique opportunity to explore its surface. The glacier's front edge is easily accessible by foot, though traversing the glacier itself requires proper equipment due to hidden crevasses. Over the past 125 years, the Athabasca Glacier has experienced significant retreat, losing half its volume and receding over 1.5 km. This decline is attributed to climate change, with rising temperatures causing the glacier to melt faster than it can advance. The glacier's retreat is marked by visible signs, including markers indicating its former extent. Despite its diminishing size, the Athabasca Glacier remains a significant natural feature, offering insights into glacial dynamics and the impacts of climate change.