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Extensive Climate Education resources are available through CLEAN and the Teach the Earth climate collection.

Video: AK-03 ALASKA: AK-03 Columbia Glacier "Cliff" (Narrated) - CLEAN

Initial Publication Date: April 29, 2016

Summary

This activity has been selected for inclusion in the CLEAN Collection based on the following review comments:

A video from the Extreme Ice Survey in which Dr. Tad Pfeffer and photographer Jim Balog discuss the dynamics of the Columbia glacier's retreat in recent years through this time-lapse movie. Key point: glacier size is being reduced not just by glacial melting but due to a shift in glacial dynamics brought on by climate change.

Video length: 1:20 min.

About the Science
  • Dr. Pfeffer and Jim Balog touch on the combination of human climate change pushing the glacier and natural dynamics taking over.
  • In addition to warming temperatures, topography plays a role in the rapid flow speeds at Columbia Glacier.
  • The Extreme Ice Survey is the most wide-ranging glacier study ever conducted using ground-based real-time photography to document the rapid changes now occurring on the Earth's glacial ice.
  • Passed initial science review - expert science review pending.


Description and Teaching Materials

Video >> AK-03 ALASKA: AK-03 Columbia Glacier "Cliff" (Narrated)

Technical Details/Ease of Use

Teaching Notes and Tips

  • Should be used in conjunction with other time lapse videos and related background materials on glacier retreat as evidence of climate change.
  • While there are other background materials on the EIS website, this and related narrated videos provide an overview of the time-lapse movies of Arctic glaciers retreating due to natural process coupled with human impacts on the climate system.
  • No pedagogy is provided.
  • This video is a short 1.20 minutes of time lapse photography/video, yet conveys key points quite powerfully nonetheless.
  • Video would have to be accompanied by lessons on glacier retreat and impact on climate change.
  • Very good website for students to check out, with other similar clips available on the Extreme Ice Survey website.

    • Assessment

    Assessment is at the discretion of the educator as to how the resource is used.

    References and Resources