Glaciers
glacier

Two large valley glaciers act as outlets to the East Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Two large valley glaciers (Mackay and Ferrar) act as outlets to the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, flowing through the Dry Valleys region to the coast. There are numerous alpine glaciers in the Valleys, some of which contribute to two piedmont glaciers (Bowers and Wilson) spread along the Area’s coastline. The regions’ glaciers have been the subject of much research. It appears that the general trend is recession (i.e. the majority of glaciers studied are getting smaller). The glaciers are key to the current Dry Valleys ecosystem, but their ancient ice also records temperature and atmospheric change far into the past.

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Image: © Andris Apse, Antarctica NZ Pictorial Collection: K211 07/08

 

 
Snowy Rock

Wright Glacier and Labyrinth, from Mount Thor. © Andris Apse, Antarctica NZ Pictorial Collection: K211 07/08