Case study of a glacier

Question 1

Location

Answer 1

Athabasca Glacier, Canadian Rockies, Jasper National Park

Question 2

Causes of retreat

Answer 2

Climate change: since the 1850s there has been a steady rise in global temperatures, possibly due to humans. This is because of the industrial revolution (1750-1850) and the burning of fossil fuels to release greenhouse gases. Could also be a natural rise due to Milankovitch cycles.

Question 3

Evidence of retreat

Answer 3

Retreated 1600 metres since 2002

Meltwater produced, glacier is sliding downwards