Geologic Publications for Mount Rainier

Interpreting summit elevations on Mount Rainier: Contextualizing ice-surface change, bedrock elevation, and geodetic frameworks

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Author(s): Scott R. Beason, Taylor R. Kenyon

Category: PUBLICATION
Document Type:
Publisher: Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research
Published Year: 2026
Volume: 58
Number: 1
Pages: 7
DOI Identifier: 10.1080/15230430.2026.2675741
ISBN Identifier:
Keywords: Mount Rainier summit elevation glacier thinning geodetic datums cryospheric processes vertical datums NAVD88 NGVD29

Abstract:
Recent work has documented measurable changes in the elevation of ice-capped summits across the western United States, including Mount Rainier. At Mount Rainier, comparisons between mid-20th century survey data and modern GNSS measurements indicate a decrease in the elevation of the highest point on the mountain, driven by long-term thinning of summit ice. Here, we examine these results within the broader glaciological and geodetic context of Mount Rainier, where more than a century of observations document sustained changes in glacier thickness, extent, and mass balance. We emphasize the importance of distinguishing between ice-surface elevation and bedrock elevation when interpreting summit measurements on glaciated volcanoes, and describe how differences in vertical datums, measurement approaches, and temporal variability influence apparent elevation change. We synthesize existing datasets to demonstrate that observed elevation differences are consistent with long-term glacier thinning and are not indicative of lowering of the underlying volcanic edifice. We further highlight how terminology and framing influence interpretation of elevation change, particularly for prominent peaks where findings may be communicated beyond academic contexts. This contribution expands on recent work by providing geodetic context, integrating long-term datasets, and offering recommendations for consistent terminology and measurement practices in studies of glaciated summits.

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Suggested Citations:
In Text Citation:
Beason and Kenyon (2026) or (Beason and Kenyon, 2026)

References Citation:
Beason, S.R. and T.R. Kenyon, 2026, Interpreting summit elevations on Mount Rainier: Contextualizing ice-surface change, bedrock elevation, and geodetic frameworks: Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, Vol. 58, No. 1, 7 p., doi: 10.1080/15230430.2026.2675741.