OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Blue Glacier is a study in trickle-down ecology — with a warning that soon there may be nothing left to trickle.
The ancient ice mass on the north side of Mount Olympus is flowing faster as melted water than it is growing in ice.
It’s a classic example of global warming, say glacier experts from the U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Washington.
“Blue is retreating,” said Ed Josberger of the geological survey’s ice and climate project in Tacoma.
Philip Mote of the University of Washington, the state’s climatologist, said, “Blue Glacier has retreated substantially.”
“The steep slope of the glacier terminus has caused it to retreat quickly,” said Michelle Koutnik, a UW researcher who often visits the Olympics.
“In addition to glacier length change, we are seeing changes in glacier thickness.
“Many meters of glacier ice have been lost compared to measurements of the ice surface in 1996.”
Koutnik said warmer summers cause the glacier to melt, and warmer winters deliver rain — not vital snow — to its surface.
Added Howard Conway, research professor at the University of Washington:
“It’s not crucial, that melt from the rain, but that it doesn’t begin to snow.”
As for long, warm summers and autumns like the North Olympic Peninsula enjoyed this year, Conway said, “God help us.”
Seasons changing
At a recent conference call among scientists and journalists, sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation, Mote said the seasons actually are changing.
Spring — as measured by peak snow melt and runoff — is arriving sooner each year.
While the season fluctuates, it has “trended earlier” over time, he said.
There’s a reason for the phenomenon.
“It’s now possible to relate the warming trends to the buildup of greenhouse gases,” said Mote.
Olympic National Park counts 60 glaciers within its borders.
The largest is Blue, 18 miles up the Hoh River Trail from the Hoh Rain Forest.
