Researcher Compared Alaska Glacial Recession Rates
Study of Shakes and Mendenhall glaciers reveals distinct topographic patterns in lake-terminating ice mass loss.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Geography
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On September 9, 2026, a University of Oregon researcher presented findings in Wrangell comparing the behavior of Alaska’s Shakes and Mendenhall glaciers. The analysis tracks the ongoing recession of these lake-terminating ice masses to understand why they shed volume differently than marine-terminating glaciers.
Why it matters
Understanding how lake-terminating glaciers interact with their surrounding topography provides critical insight into the rate of mass loss in Southeast Alaska. Researchers are investigating these dynamics to better predict the future of icefields following events like recent flooding in Juneau.
Shakes Glacier has receded at an annual rate of 420 to 470 feet, contributing to the expansion of Shakes Lake to a length of six miles and a maximum depth of 800 feet. Mapping efforts using sonar and drone imagery reveal that Shakes Lake holds a volume of 1.2 cubic kilometers.
The players
University of Oregon
An academic institution with a research focus on environmental science and glaciology.
Benson
The researcher from the University of Oregon who led the study on Alaska glacial recession.
The details
Researchers used sonar to map the topography of lake bottoms, identifying features like the underwater sill that partitions Mendenhall Lake. Drones were deployed to monitor the Shakes Glacier front, where imagery identified the formation of caves at the base of the ice. The study aims to quantify why lake-terminating glaciers—those that flow into landlocked lakes rather than the ocean—often experience accelerated mass loss compared to marine counterparts.
Timeline
Between 1999 and 2023, Shakes Glacier receded 10,000 feet.
Monitoring of Shakes Glacier by students began in 2011.
On September 9, 2026, research findings were presented in Wrangell.
The Tech Race
This research expands upon long-standing monitoring efforts at the Mendenhall Glacier to create a broader regional dataset for Southeast Alaska. By comparing these distinct systems, scientists are establishing a more robust baseline for glacial retreat models in lake-terminating environments.
This data assists local authorities and residents in Southeast Alaska in understanding the physical changes occurring in regional icefields. These findings help contextualize recent environmental instability, such as the flooding events observed in Juneau last August.
The takeaway
The research highlights that the recession of Alaska's lake-terminating glaciers is a multi-decade trend characterized by steady, rapid retreat. Residents should monitor future reports from the University of Oregon for updated surveys of cave formation and lake volume changes.
Further reading
Explore ongoing environmental shifts in Alaska Geography.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Juneau Empire.
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