The Tustumena Glacier is a glacier located on the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska. The Tustumena Glacier begins in the Harding Icefield and makes its way down west for about 20 miles (32 km) until its terminus roughly 5 miles (8.0 km) before Tustumena Lake. The glacier is retreating[1] due to global warming.

Tustumena Glacier
View of the Tustemena Glacier across the drained ice-margin Arctic Lake.
Map showing the location of Tustumena Glacier
Map showing the location of Tustumena Glacier
Tustumena Glacier
TypeMountain glacier
LocationKenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, U.S.
Coordinates59°59′47″N 150°21′34″W / 59.99639°N 150.35944°W / 59.99639; -150.35944
Length20 miles (32 km)
TerminusGlacial lake
StatusRetreating
Map
Tustemena Glacier, and its outflow into Tustemena Lake

A small lake called Arctic Lake sits alongside Tustumena Glacier, with its outflow underneath the ice. This lake periodically fills up and then drains as the glacier moves, leaving icebergs stranded in the sand.

The Alaska Marine Highway ferry M/V Tustumena derives its name from this glacier.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Bailey, Ted. "Ecological Changes Obvious on the Kenai Peninsula". Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Refuge Notebook. U.S. Fish and Wildlife service. Archived from the original on 2006-09-26. Retrieved 2007-01-18.
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