New sandbag-style barriers installed along the Mendenhall River in Juneau, Alaska, successfully mitigated severe flooding caused by an ice dam release from the nearby glacier. While water pooled in some areas, the barriers prevented widespread damage and significantly reduced the impact compared to the record-breaking floods of the previous two years. The city’s response involved installing approximately 10,000 “Hesco” barriers along the riverbank to protect over 460 properties. Outburst floods are expected to continue for the foreseeable future, emphasizing the need for long-term solutions.
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In 1959, Dennis “Tink” Bell, a British meteorologist stationed in Antarctica, tragically fell into a crevasse and was lost. Sixty-five years later, in January, his remains were discovered by a Polish Antarctic expedition within a melting glacier. Alongside his bones were a wristwatch, radio, and pipe, confirming his identity. The discovery offered closure to Bell’s family, who had long mourned his loss, providing a chance to remember his adventurous spirit and contributions to early Antarctic research. The ongoing climate change and melting of glaciers have brought forth these relics, and a reminder of the harsh environment.
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Watching the death of the natural world in real-time is truly a frightening experience. The recent news that Venezuela has become the first Andean country to lose all of its glaciers is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of climate change. It is disheartening to witness the disappearance of these natural wonders, once majestic and awe-inspiring, now reduced to mere ice fields.
As the world grapples with the harsh realities of climate change, it is crucial to understand the implications of such loss. Glaciers play a vital role in our ecosystems, providing freshwater to millions of people around the world.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker