NIWA scientists stated that this glacier had retreated by 5 kilometers (about 3 miles) over the previous three decades. They also stated that New Zealand glaciers on the whole had lost 5.8 cubic kilometers (roughly 1.4 cubic miles) over the same time period.
Currently 30.2 km long and between 0.5 and 2.5 km wide, Gangotri glacier is one of the largest in the Himalaya. Gangotri has been receding since 1780, although studies show its retreat quickened after 1971.
This detailed astronaut photograph shows Canada’ Heiltskuk Icefield—mostly covered by snow across the upper mountain slopes—and two major valley glaciers that extend from it.
Colorful bands of debris coat the surface of Zmutt Glacier and Gorner Glacier in the Swiss Alps. NASA scientist Kimberly Casey has developed new methods to map their composition with satellites.