Axel Heiberg - Thompson Glacier 1977-2008

1977

2008

View from Gypsum Hill towards Thompson Glacier (tele photo lens). Movement of the glacier towards the right is evident from the displacement of the curved medial moraine (centre of 1977 photo). The frontal cliff is no longer as steep, and ice blocks no longer fall as the glacier advances. White Glacier is still visible on the far left in the 1977 photo, but has receeded and can no longer be seen in the 2008 picture. Careful comparison of landmarks in the background shows surface lowering of both, Thompson and Piper Glacier (flowing diagonally from top right towards centre left, there joining Thompson). A small valley glacier which descnds from Hidden Icefield is partially visible on the right in the 1977 photo (between the prominent red scree slopes) but can no longer be see, due to its recession, in the 2008 image.