Alaska PaleoGlacier Atlas:

A Geospatial Compilation of Pleistocene Glacier Extents

<-- Click for the online Map Gallery.

The APG Atlas is a recently released, web-based summary of Pleistocene glaciation across Alaska. View maps depicting the extent of glaciers during the late Wisconsin glaciation (also known as the Last Glacial Maximum, about 20,000 years ago), as well as the maximum extent reached during the last 3 million years by valley glaciers, ice caps, and the northwestern Cordilleran Ice Sheet.

Feel free to download print- and screen-resolution versions of featured maps. Also available are "layers" for use in Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

William Manley, INSTAAR, University of Colorado, William.Manley@colorado.edu
Darrell Kaufman, Geology Dept., N. Arizona University, Darrell.Kaufman@nau.edu

With contributions from:  T.A. Ager, Y. Axford, N. Balascio, J.E. Beget, J.P. Briner, P. Carrara, T.D. Hamilton, D.J. Lubinski, R.D. Reger, H.R. Schmoll, R.M. Thorson, C.F. Waythomas, F.R. Weber, A. Werner, and F.H. Wilson.

    OVERVIEW

Learn more about the purpose of the atlas, general findings, remaining uncertainties, how it was created, and how to contribute glacial-geologic mapping.

    GIS DATA ONLINE

Download the APG Atlas GIS layers for display and analysis in common GIS programs.

    INTERACTIVE 3D VISUALIZATION

The extent of former glaciation can also be viewed through EarthSLOT, a 3D GIS and terrain visualization application. Through an online interactive interface, you can fly wherever you'd like across Alaska while viewing the limits of Pleistocene glaciation. Take the following steps:

1. Go to www.EarthSLOT.org
2. Click on "Fly Now!"
3. Install the free TerraExplorer viewer application, if you haven't already.
4. Under the "Glaciology & Cryosphere" heading, click on the link for the "Alaska Paleo-glacier Atlas".

    RELATED LINKS

•  Alaska Geospatial Data Clearinghouse
•  Alaska State Geospatial Data Clearinghouse
•  INQUA's Commision on Glaciation, Working Group on Extent and Chronology of Glaciations
•  Darrell Kaufman, Northern Arizona University
•  INSTAAR Quaternary GIS Laboratory

    GLACIAL GEOLOGY:  FUN FACTS AND IMAGES

Would you like to learn more about glaciers, glacial geology, and the earth's recent environmental history? Browse the links below, courtesy of other glacial geologists:

•  Glacial Geology, Martin Miller (University of Oregon)
•  Glaciers and Glacial Geology, William Locke (Montana State University)
•  Glacier images, the Iceland flood, and other resources, Tom Lowell (University of Cincinnati)
•  Glaciers and Glaciation, USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory
•  The Cryosphere, National Snow and Ice Data Center

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The APG Atlas is made possible through funding from the National Science Foundation's program for Arctic Natural Sciences (OPP-9977972). Denise Dundon and Evan Burgess (Univ. of Colorado) assisted with the GIS compilation. Manley and Kaufman are indebted to all who have contributed maps and other information.