Geologic Publications for Mount Rainier

Using historic glacial data and GIS to predict Mount Rainier National Park's glacial future

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Author(s): Daniel Kincaid

Category: PUBLICATION
Document Type: M.S. Thesis - Geographic Information Systems
Publisher: University of Denver
Published Year: 2024
Volume:
Number:
Pages: 45
DOI Identifier: 10.56902/ETDCRP.2024.6
ISBN Identifier:
Keywords: Washington Mount Rainier National Park Glaciers Geographic information science Environmental measurement

Abstract:
Will Washington state have glaciers 100 years from now (year 2124)? Due to generally warmer weather glaciers are largely in retreat globally, including the glaciers in Washington state. In Washington state summer glacial meltwater plays a vital role in the survival of wildlife and is needed for human purposes that include recreation, power generation, drinking, agricultural, and industrial. This project looked at the most resilient glaciers in Washington state, the glaciers at Mount Rainier National Park. Historic measurements were used in an exponential growth calculation to project the amount in acres each glacier at Mount Rainer will advance or retreat over the next 100 years. The glaciers were digitized into ArcGIS Pro and then adjusted according to the calculations. The results of the project show that all the glaciers at Mount Rainier should be intact in 2124. This is of vital importance to wildlife and human populations that depend on the summer meltwater for various purposes.

View Report:
View Report [External Link]

Suggested Citations:
In Text Citation:
Kincaid (2024) or (Kincaid, 2024)

References Citation:
Kincaid, D., 2024, Using historic glacial data and GIS to predict Mount Rainier National Park's glacial future: M.S. Thesis - Geographic Information Systems, University of Denver , 45 p., doi: 10.56902/ETDCRP.2024.6.