Why are Athabasca Glacier Columbia Icefield Canada Important Natural Treasures? - Geology Explained
- Maria Baias
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
When you think of Columbia icefield in Canada, you might think of a massive, frozen landscape up in the Canadian Rockies. But it is so much more than that! Feeding the iconic Athabasca Glacier, this colossal icefield actually serves as one of Earth's frozen libraries. It holds vital clues to understanding our planet’s past, present, and future.
Curious why this frozen landscape matters more than ever today? This post is all about the geology of Columbia icefield and Athabasca glacier. We'll uncover how these ancient ice giants were formed, explore the dramatic effects of climate change on them, and discover why they’re so incredibly important to our planet today.
Where are the Columbia icefield and the Athabasca glacier located?
Located high in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the Columbia Icefield sits astride the Continental Divide between the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia.
The Columbia icefield is the largest icefield in the Canadian Rockies, stretching across parts of both Banff and Jasper National Parks. It stretches across an impressive 325 square kilometers (125 square miles) and its depth varies between 100 meters (328 feet) and 365 meters (1,198 feet).
One of its most famous outlet glaciers, the Athabasca Glacier, flows down three massive bedrock steps into the Athabasca Valley. Not only is it a stunning natural wonder, but it is also an essential source of freshwater. The Athabasca glacier feeds the Athabasca River, which winds its way over 1,500 kilometers across Alberta, nourishing various ecosystems and communities along the way.
How were the Columbia icefield and the Athabasca glacier formed?
A glacier is formed when more snow falls and piles up in winter than melts in summer. The snow builds up over time and is compressed into dense ice and flows downwards under the pressure of its own weight.
The Columbia Icefield started forming more than 200,000 years ago. It is a surviving piece of a massive ice sheet that once buried much of Western Canada's mountains. The Columbia Icefield has advanced multiple times throughout its long history, leaving behind a dramatic frozen record of Earth's natural history.
As snow builds up and compresses into solid ice in the Columbia icefield, this ice starts to flow downhill under its immense weight and pressure, feeding several glaciers, including the Athabasca glacier. The Athabasca Glacier spills from the Columbia Icefield as one of several icy tongues driven downwards by the force of gravity.
I'd love to see Manny, Sid, and Diego embarking on one of their adventures here, wouldn't you?
Visiting the Athabasca glacier
Whether you’d see your favorite Ice Age characters or not, you would still have a memorable experience if you wanted to visit the Athabasca glacier. Visiting the Athabasca Glacier is surprisingly easy, as it is one of the most accessible glaciers in the world.
You can hop on a giant Ice Explorer vehicle for a once-in-a-lifetime ride onto the glacier, take in epic views from the nearby Glacier Skywalk, or join a guided glacier hike for a more immersive experience. Whichever one you choose, make sure to keep safe and have lots of fun!
Have you ever experienced walking on a glacier? Let me know in the comments which glacier you've visited—or which one you're dreaming of exploring someday! I had the chance to walk on a glacier once during an amazing helicopter ride in Iceland when we touched down right on top of a glacier. Walking across this world of endless ice, brilliantly white in every direction, is an experience I will always remember.
Why are Athabasca glacier and Columbia icefield Canada important?
The importance of Columbia icefield and Athabasca glacier comes from both their impact on ecosystems and freshwater systems, and from their vital role in advancing scientific research and raising global awareness about climate change.
Ecological and hydrological importance
From an ecological perspective, the Columbia Icefield plays a vital role in sustaining the diverse ecosystems that thrive across western Canada.
Often called the “mother of rivers,” it feeds major waterways like the Athabasca, Columbia, North Saskatchewan, and Fraser Rivers, which flow into three different oceans: the Arctic, the Pacific, and the Atlantic oceans! This illustrates the huge significance of Columbia icefield as a crucial water resource across the continent.
The Athabasca Glacier feeds the Athabasca River, which travels 1,538 kilometers across the province of Alberta, eventually draining into the Arctic Ocean. Throughout its extensive journey, the Athabasca River serves as a life source, sustaining the well-being of various communities and ecosystems along the way.
Scientific importance of Athabasca glacier
From a climate perspective, the Athabasca Glacier is one massive climate research lab, offering scientists the chance to study a glacier up close. Its easy access, simple shape, and decades of recorded data going back to the 1960s make it perfect for studying how glaciers respond to global warming.
Scientists are studying how quickly the glacier slides at its base, as basal sliding is sensitive to meltwater, representing a key signal of climate change in action. Over the past few decades, the glacier has retreated over 600 meters and thinned by around 60 meters, offering dramatic, measurable proof of a warming planet.
Moreover, 2023 witnessed record melting of the Athabasca Glacier, more than in any of the previous ten years, further contributing to the substantial retreat of the glacier over the last 125 years of climate warming. These findings are shared with visitors through tours like the Columbia Icefield Adventure, helping to raise public awareness about climate change.
We should all use this information to advance our fight against climate change to ensure a sustainable world for future generations. By making conscious choices in our daily lives, advocating for policy changes, and supporting environmentally-friendly initiatives, we can work together to make a difference and preserve the beauty and diversity of our planet.
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