Definition The Bagley Icefield is a vast expanse of interconnected glaciers and névé fields located in the Chugach Mountains of southern Alaska. It is one of the largest non-polar icefields in North America.
Overview Situated within and largely forming the core of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, the Bagley Icefield covers a significant portion of the mountainous terrain between Prince William Sound to the west and the St. Elias Mountains to the east. It serves as the primary accumulation zone for numerous large and active glaciers, including the Bering Glacier, North America's largest piedmont glacier, and the Malaspina Glacier, another extensive piedmont lobe. The icefield is a critical component of regional hydrology, contributing significant meltwater to rivers and the Gulf of Alaska, and is a key site for glaciological research due to its size, dynamics, and responsiveness to climate change.
Etymology/Origin The Bagley Icefield was named by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1912. It honors James W. Bagley (1876–1947), a prominent American topographer and photogrammetrist who worked extensively with the USGS in Alaska from 1904 to 1937, conducting surveys that contributed significantly to the mapping of the region.
Characteristics The Bagley Icefield is characterized by its immense scale, high-altitude accumulation zones, and substantial snow depth. It spans approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) in length and up to 100 kilometers (60 miles) in width in places. Elevations within the icefield range from approximately 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) in its lower reaches to over 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) at its highest points, such as Mount Bagley. The icefield receives heavy snowfall, particularly due to its proximity to the Gulf of Alaska, which contributes to the large volume of ice feeding its outlet glaciers. The climate is subpolar oceanic and alpine, resulting in persistent cold temperatures necessary for ice accumulation. Its dynamics are complex, influenced by snowfall, temperature, and the underlying topography, leading to periods of advance and retreat in its associated glaciers.
Related Topics
- Bering Glacier: North America's largest piedmont glacier, directly fed by the Bagley Icefield.
- Malaspina Glacier: Another expansive piedmont glacier also primarily nourished by the Bagley Icefield.
- Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve: The protected area that encompasses the icefield.
- Chugach Mountains: The mountain range where the icefield is predominantly located.
- Glaciology: The scientific study of glaciers, icefields, and related phenomena, for which the Bagley Icefield is an important research site.
- Climate Change: The icefield and its outlet glaciers are studied as indicators of global climate change and its impact on glacial mass balance and sea level rise.