Alaska Glacier Area Changes with Debris Cover 1985-2020

Eighteen biannual shapefiles document glacier area changes across Alaska from 1985 to 2020. The dataset distinguishes between overall glacier area, debris-covered ice, and debris-free ice. It is provided by the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC).

Use Cases

• Analyzing decadal trends in total glacier-covered area using the biannual shapefiles.
• Quantifying the extent and change of supraglacial debris cover on Alaskan glaciers.
• Comparing the retreat rates of debris-free glacier ice versus debris-covered ice.
• Modeling hydrological and sea-level rise contributions from Alaskan glacier mass loss.
• Validating satellite-derived glacier extent products against this detailed geospatial record.

Strengths

• Provides a 35-year temporal record (1985-2020) for long-term trend analysis.
• Includes separate, consistent data layers for total area, debris-covered area, and debris-free area.
• Contains 18 temporally consistent observations, enabling analysis of biannual change.

Limitations

• Specific column names and row counts within the shapefiles are not documented in the provided metadata.
• Conflicting last updated dates exist between sources (2020-12-31 and 2026-03 13).
• The exact data collection and annotation methodology is not described.

Provenance

Source

National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC)

Collection Method

Derived from remote sensing imagery; specific sensors and methods are not detailed.

Time Range

1985 to 2020

Freshness

2026-03-13 02:31:46.346716

Geography

State of Alaska, USA