Oregon's Vanishing Glaciers

Almost a century ago, scientists and mountaineers in Oregon observed the retreat of Oregon's glaciers and raised alarm over the potential for an ice-free Oregon in the not too distant future. That future has now arrived. The recently founded Oregon Glaciers Institute (OGI) is monitoring changes in Oregon's endangered glaciers with the goal of projecting their viability. OGI recently concluded a state-wide survey of how many glaciers remain in Oregon with an estimate of how many existed more than 60 years ago when the last such census was conducted. In this presentation, we will look at the implications of these findings and why such changes are occurring, with a final note on how one can help in preserving Oregon's vanishing glaciers.