# @usgs on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DEftBPIySMq
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/69013939-usgs-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/8f1a9f4134.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-01-06T19:10:07.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) (@USGS) — https://gondola.cc/USGS

## Caption

Do you wish your job was cool? So cool it’s cold? Ice cold?  ❄️
 
Glacier scientists at USGS have one of the coolest (and coldest) jobs around! Every year, they track glacier changes from Alaska to Montana. To get to these remote glaciers, scientists use everything from climbing and skiing to snowmobiles and helicopters — sometimes even camping overnight in icy conditions.

Why? Because glaciers are crucial for life on Earth, storing 69% of our freshwater. But rising temperatures since the Little Ice Age are causing glaciers to melt, triggering huge impacts on ecosystems, water sources, and economies.

USGS scientists are using cutting-edge tools to track glacier changes, helping us understand how climate change affects the planet. Not to mention, they get to enjoy some amazing views along the way!  Learn more about the Glaciers and Climate Project at the link in today’s story. 

And be sure to follow along for the next two weeks as we share more #SnowyScience and explore the wonders of snow and ice research!

📹: USGS scientists installing an ablation stake on South Cascade Glacier. These stakes measure the amount of snowfall and melt. If you look closely in the foreground you can see some ice worms moving around foraging for snow algae! 

📸:  USGS scientist Dr. Caitlyn Florentine carries a steam drill up South Cascade Glacier in Washington state, accompanied by USGS scientist Kate Bollen. The drill boils water and uses steam to melt vertical holes into the snow and ice of the glacier in order to install ablation stakes, which measure the amount of snowfall and melt.   
 
📸: USGS scientist Louis Sass assesses an on-glacier weather station on the Kahiltna Glacier in Denali National Park. This weather station is located at Kahiltna Base Camp, where climbers attempting to summit Denali begin their ascent. 

📸: USGS scientist Louis Sass samples snow density in a pit on Gulkana Glacier. Records on Gulkana with the USGS Benchmark Glacier Project stretch back to 1966 - making 2025 the 59th year of this long-term, uninterrupted field dataset.

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 1,062
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 6

## Tags

snowyscience

---
Copyright (c) Gondola