Climate

Glaciers around the world are endangered — but no two are alike

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 06/11/2026, 14:45:24 UTC.

Briefings

A geographer documents that while 275,000 glaciers exist globally, each has a distinct life history shaped by local communities and landscapes. The evidence focuses on Mount St. Helens in the Pacific Northwest, where the 1980 eruption destroyed most of the mountain's ice, yet created a new glacier (Crater Glacier) that grew rapidly after the 1996 eruption. This glacier advanced 13.8 million cubic meters between 2009 and 2019, growing from a snowfield into a full glacier within four years. The author notes that while the volcano erupted again in 2004, the glacier's growth slowed, and future advances depend on climate and potential future eruptions.

Key points

• Mount St. Helens in the Pacific Northwest had 11 named glaciers and two unnamed ones before the 1980 eruption, which destroyed 70% of the mountain's ice.
• Crater Glacier, formed after the 1996 eruption, advanced 13.8 million cubic meters between 2009 and 2019, growing from a snowfield into a full glacier within four years.

Context

The article contrasts the global perspective of glacier monitoring with the unique, individual stories of specific glaciers. It highlights how volcanic activity can both destroy and regenerate glacial systems, creating new ice bodies in previously ice-free areas like the Pacific Northwest crater.

Limitations

The evidence is limited to the author's personal observations and a single case study of Mount St. Helens. It does not provide data on the 275,000 global glaciers, nor does it include information on other regions or countries where glaciers are endangered.

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