Axel Heiberg - Baby Glacier repeat photos

1977

2008

Crusoe Glacier in 1977 and on July 18th, 2008 from the west. For the first time during human observation the glacier tongue in 1977 reached the small col below the image centre so that some of its meltwater could form a new stream flowing towards the lower right (up to 1976 all runoff was through the valley higher up, left of centre). The glacier front then advanced further, until it had reached the steep slope right of centre. In 2008 the glacier cannot easily advance any further since ice regularly breaks off the cliff and the debris is scattered over the slope, where it ablates quickly. The 2008 comparison photo had to be taken in cold weather, since only then was it possible to cross the meltwater streams between basecamp and the glacier's western margin.