USGS scientist Louis Sass assesses an on-glacier weather station on the Kahiltna Glacier in Denali National Park, Alaska. This weather station is located at Kahiltna Base Camp, where climbers attempting to summit Denali begin their ascent. Sultana (Mt. Foraker) is visible in the background.
How many glaciers currently exist in Alaska?
Based on the most recent comprehensive survey in 2011, there were about 27,000 glaciers in Alaska. However, the number of glaciers is a misleading statistic. Scientists are more interested in total glacial land coverage as a measure. The number of glaciers is less important since large ones can split up into several as they retreat. The amount of area glaciers occupy in Alaska is trending downward.
Roughly a third of Alaska’s glaciers have been given official names that can be found in the online Geographic Names Information System.
Learn more: USGS Water Science School - Glaciers: Things to Know
Related
Which mountain in the conterminous U.S. has the most glaciers?
How old is glacier ice?
Are today's glaciers leftovers from the Pleistocene ice age?
Do ice worms exist?
Why is glacier ice blue?
Where are glaciers found in continental North America?
Where on Earth are temperate glaciers located?
How would sea level change if all glaciers melted?
What are the impacts of glacier loss, other than losing an aesthetic landscape feature?
Is there a size criterion for a glacier?
What is a glacier?
USGS scientist Louis Sass assesses an on-glacier weather station on the Kahiltna Glacier in Denali National Park, Alaska. This weather station is located at Kahiltna Base Camp, where climbers attempting to summit Denali begin their ascent. Sultana (Mt. Foraker) is visible in the background.
Image of the Taku towers, among the Taku Range at Taku Glacier during the summer of 2019
Image of the Taku towers, among the Taku Range at Taku Glacier during the summer of 2019
Landscape view of an un-named glacier off the Sargent Icefield, directly across from Wolverine Glacier, above the Nellie Juan River, in Alaska. Taken during a visit to a wolverine glacier field site as part of a study to examine how alpine areas are changing as temperatures rise in Alaska.
Landscape view of an un-named glacier off the Sargent Icefield, directly across from Wolverine Glacier, above the Nellie Juan River, in Alaska. Taken during a visit to a wolverine glacier field site as part of a study to examine how alpine areas are changing as temperatures rise in Alaska.
Alaska Interior mountain range shot with snow capped mountains.
Alaska Interior mountain range shot with snow capped mountains.
Periodic calving of ice from the snout of South Crillon Glacier.
Periodic calving of ice from the snout of South Crillon Glacier.
Photo of Wolverine Glacier ice. Wolverine Glacier is in the Kenai Mountains on the coast of south-central Alaska. In 1966 scientists with the USGS began making direct measurements of surface mass balance at Wolverine Glacier, a "benchmark glacier" in Alaska.
Photo of Wolverine Glacier ice. Wolverine Glacier is in the Kenai Mountains on the coast of south-central Alaska. In 1966 scientists with the USGS began making direct measurements of surface mass balance at Wolverine Glacier, a "benchmark glacier" in Alaska.
Kittlitz’s Murrelets are often found in higher numbers near glaciers like the Columbia Glacier in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Kittlitz’s Murrelets are often found in higher numbers near glaciers like the Columbia Glacier in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Surprise Glacier, Harriman Fiord, western Prince William Sound.
Surprise Glacier, Harriman Fiord, western Prince William Sound.
Cataract Glacier, Harriman Fiord, western Prince William Sound, AK.
Cataract Glacier, Harriman Fiord, western Prince William Sound, AK.
Barry Glacier, Barry Arm, western Prince William Sound.
Barry Glacier, Barry Arm, western Prince William Sound.
Coxe Glacier, Barry Arm, western Prince William Sound.
Coxe Glacier, Barry Arm, western Prince William Sound.

Portage Glacier (right), Burns Glacier (center), Shakespeare Glacier (left) in Southcentral Alaska from the air.
Portage Glacier (right), Burns Glacier (center), Shakespeare Glacier (left) in Southcentral Alaska from the air.
Cryospheric sciences at the U.S. Geological Survey
Sculpted by water, elevated by earthquakes—The coastal landscape of Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
The United States National Climate Assessment - Alaska Technical Regional Report
State of the Earth’s cryosphere at the beginning of the 21st century: Glaciers, global snow cover, floating ice, and permafrost and periglacial environments
Fifty-year record of glacier change reveals shifting climate in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, USA
Satellite Image Atlas of Glaciers of the World
Satellite image atlas of glaciers of the world — North America
Satellite image atlas of glaciers of the world
Related
Which mountain in the conterminous U.S. has the most glaciers?
How old is glacier ice?
Are today's glaciers leftovers from the Pleistocene ice age?
Do ice worms exist?
Why is glacier ice blue?
Where are glaciers found in continental North America?
Where on Earth are temperate glaciers located?
How would sea level change if all glaciers melted?
What are the impacts of glacier loss, other than losing an aesthetic landscape feature?
Is there a size criterion for a glacier?
What is a glacier?
USGS scientist Louis Sass assesses an on-glacier weather station on the Kahiltna Glacier in Denali National Park, Alaska. This weather station is located at Kahiltna Base Camp, where climbers attempting to summit Denali begin their ascent. Sultana (Mt. Foraker) is visible in the background.
USGS scientist Louis Sass assesses an on-glacier weather station on the Kahiltna Glacier in Denali National Park, Alaska. This weather station is located at Kahiltna Base Camp, where climbers attempting to summit Denali begin their ascent. Sultana (Mt. Foraker) is visible in the background.
Image of the Taku towers, among the Taku Range at Taku Glacier during the summer of 2019
Image of the Taku towers, among the Taku Range at Taku Glacier during the summer of 2019
Landscape view of an un-named glacier off the Sargent Icefield, directly across from Wolverine Glacier, above the Nellie Juan River, in Alaska. Taken during a visit to a wolverine glacier field site as part of a study to examine how alpine areas are changing as temperatures rise in Alaska.
Landscape view of an un-named glacier off the Sargent Icefield, directly across from Wolverine Glacier, above the Nellie Juan River, in Alaska. Taken during a visit to a wolverine glacier field site as part of a study to examine how alpine areas are changing as temperatures rise in Alaska.
Alaska Interior mountain range shot with snow capped mountains.
Alaska Interior mountain range shot with snow capped mountains.
Periodic calving of ice from the snout of South Crillon Glacier.
Periodic calving of ice from the snout of South Crillon Glacier.
Photo of Wolverine Glacier ice. Wolverine Glacier is in the Kenai Mountains on the coast of south-central Alaska. In 1966 scientists with the USGS began making direct measurements of surface mass balance at Wolverine Glacier, a "benchmark glacier" in Alaska.
Photo of Wolverine Glacier ice. Wolverine Glacier is in the Kenai Mountains on the coast of south-central Alaska. In 1966 scientists with the USGS began making direct measurements of surface mass balance at Wolverine Glacier, a "benchmark glacier" in Alaska.
Kittlitz’s Murrelets are often found in higher numbers near glaciers like the Columbia Glacier in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Kittlitz’s Murrelets are often found in higher numbers near glaciers like the Columbia Glacier in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Surprise Glacier, Harriman Fiord, western Prince William Sound.
Surprise Glacier, Harriman Fiord, western Prince William Sound.
Cataract Glacier, Harriman Fiord, western Prince William Sound, AK.
Cataract Glacier, Harriman Fiord, western Prince William Sound, AK.
Barry Glacier, Barry Arm, western Prince William Sound.
Barry Glacier, Barry Arm, western Prince William Sound.
Coxe Glacier, Barry Arm, western Prince William Sound.
Coxe Glacier, Barry Arm, western Prince William Sound.

Portage Glacier (right), Burns Glacier (center), Shakespeare Glacier (left) in Southcentral Alaska from the air.
Portage Glacier (right), Burns Glacier (center), Shakespeare Glacier (left) in Southcentral Alaska from the air.