Alaska's Proglacial Lakes Double in Size

In Alaska, the Denali Fault, a significant right-lateral strike-slip fault, has a history of major earthquakes, including the M7.9 quake in 2002, which ruptured nearly 270 miles along the fault. Concurrently, glaciers in southeastern Alaska are retreating rapidly, leading to the formation of large proglacial lakes, with recent analyses showing that three key lakes have nearly doubled in size from 50 to 90 square miles over the past 40 years. This dramatic transformation is attributed to the Yakutat, Alsek, and Grand Plateau glaciers, which have experienced significant retreat, with the Yakutat Glacier retreating 4.3 miles. The formation of these lakes has been characterized as potentially the fastest-growing lake district in the U.S. this century, reflecting ongoing climate change impacts. Furthermore, seismic activity in the region is influenced by the Yakutat microplate's collision with southern Alaska's continental margin, contributing to a high level of seismicity, including significant historical earthquakes. Overall, these geological and climatic changes highlight the dynamic nature of Alaska's environment.