Classroom/Laboratory Activity: Glacial Retreat in Glacier National Park

A classroom/laboratory activity to learn about glacial retreat and to predict the complete melting of a glacier (specifically, for an example in Glacier National Park).

In this activity, students will analyze and interpret historical data for the Grinnell Glacier to predict when the glacier might completely melt.

Use this tool to help students find answers to:

  1. What climatic factors may lead to the shrinking of some glaciers?
  2. What is the relationship between climate and the cryosphere?

About the Tool

Tool Name Investigation: When will there no longer be glaciers in Glacier National Park?
Discipline Geography, Earth Sciences
Topic(s) in Discipline Glaciers, Cryosphere, Glacial Retreat, Glacial Melting
Climate Topic Climate and the Cryosphere
Type of Tool Classroom/Laboratory Activity
Grade Level High school, Undergraduate
Location USA
Language English
Translation
Developed by Carol Ormand, Wittenberg University
Hosted at Teaching Quantitative Skills in the Geosciences, SERC at Carleton College
Link https://serc.carleton.edu/quantskills/activities/glacial_retreat.html
Access Online, Offline (handout and reference material can be downloaded for offline use)
Computer Skills Basic
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