Photos of Melt: Glaciers Before and After

Agassiz Glacier (1913)

(Image credit: 1913 photograph by W. C. Alden (Glacier National Park Archives))

BEFORE: Take a look at Agassiz Glacier, in this photograph taken in 1913, near Boulder Pass, Glacier National Park. NEXT IMAGE: Agassiz Glacier (2005)

Agassiz Glacier (2005)

(Image credit: 2005 photograph by Greg Pederson (USGS))

AFTER: Compare it to this 2005 photograph of Agassiz Glacier taken from the same location (near Boulder Pass, Glacier National Park)

Blackfoot-Jackson Glacier Complex (1914)

(Image credit: 1914 photograph by E. C. Stebinger, Glacier National Park Archives)

BEFORE: At the time the 1914 photograph was taken Blackfoot Glacier encompassed the current Jackson Glacier. NEXT IMAGE: Blackfoot-Jackson Glacier Complex (2001)

Blackfoot-Jackson Glacier Complex (2001)

(Image credit: 2001 photograph by Blase Reardon, USGS)

AFTER: The 2001 photograph shows that each glacier has receded to the confines of its own cirque.

Boulder Glacier (1932)

(Image credit: 1932 photograph by George Grant (Glacier National Park Archives))

BEFORE: Shown above is a picture of Boulder Glacier, taken near Boulder Pass, Glacier National Park, in 1932. The foreground rocks provided an excellent reference point to re-photograph the historic photo. NEXT IMAGE: Boulder Glacier (2005)

Boulder Glacier (2005)

AFTER: Boulder Glacier photographed from nearly 73 years later from the same place as the 1932 photo. The foreground rocks provided an excellent reference point to re-photograph the historic photo.

Chaney Glacier Terminus (1911)

(Image credit: 1911 photograph by M. R. Campbell (USGS))

BEFORE: View of Chaney Glacier terminus, Glacier National Park, in 1911. NEXT IMAGE: Chaney Glacier Terminus (2005)

Chaney Glacier Terminus (2005)

(Image credit: 2005 photograph by Blase Reardon (USGS))

AFTER: View of Chaney Glacier terminus, Glacier National Park, in 2005.

Grant Glacier (1902)

(Image credit: 1902 photograph by Morton Elrod (Glacier National Park Archives))

BEFORE: 1902 photograph of Grant Glacier from Grant Ridge, Flathead National Forest, Montana. NEXT IMAGE: Grant Glacier (1998)

Grant Glacier (1998)

(Image credit: 1998 photograph by Karen Holzer (USGS))

AFTER: 1998 Photograph of Grant Glacier from Grant Ridge, Flathead National Forest, Montana.

Grinnell Glacier from Mt. Gould (1938)

(Image credit: 1938 photograph by T.J. Hileman (Glacier National Park Archives))

BEFORE: An Oblique view of Grinnell Glacier is taken from the summit of Mount Gould, Glacier National Park in 1938. The relative sensitivity of glaciers to climate change is illustrated by the dramatic recession of Grinnell Glacier while surrounding vegetation patterns remain stable. NEXT IMAGE: Grinnell Glacier from Mt. Gould (2005)