Surface response of Wolverine Glacier, Southcentral Alaska, to interannual and decadal variations in climate, 1967-98

Abstract

This report summarizes thirty-two years (1967-98) of climate and surface observations on Wolverine Glacier by the U.S. Geologic Survey. The data document the long-term surface response of this temperate valley glacier to a decadal (1977-88) increase in winter precipitation and air temperature in the most extensively glaciated region of continental North America. Daily air temperature and precipitation were recorded at 990 m altitude from 1967 to 1998. Point mass balances were measured at three sites on the glacier from 1967-98. Surface altitude and surface velocities were measured at the same sites from 1978-98. Air photographs obtained during fall of 1950, 1979, 1987, 1995, and 1998 were used to map changes in the position of the glacier terminus. The data show that the interannual and decadal surface variations of the glacier are generally consistent with recorded changes in climate.