1981, Walker et al. The climate of Alaska has warmed substantially in the last 30 years. We will visit an area of tussock tundra where the ground ice has begun melting in the past 10 years, leading to thermokarst and major changes in drainage. Lachenbruch et al. 1991, Osterkamp et al. 1999, McKane et al.
Postglacial topography is highly heterogeneous.
In a few locations in Alaska there have been catastrophic retreats of glaciers, leaving large areas available for colonization by vegetation during recent history. We will visit one such area, where the glacier is rapidly retreating. Crocker and Major 1955, Chapin et al. What might determine their future state.