Word: glaciers
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...interrupted by brief snippets of wit spoofing USA Today's sometimes optimistic and sensational reporting. Headlines in the weather section reading "Winter Wonderland encases 90% of USA" and "The heat is on" lead off stories, charts, and graphs describing a deadly Ice Age glacier absorbing the nation...
...glacier is a river of ice fed by mountaintop snowfall. When the ice becomes thick and heavy enough, it starts to flow like an extremely viscous fluid, its uphill section always advancing, its end, or terminus, moving forward or back, depending on factors like how fast the terminus melts or breaks off into the sea. Although glaciologists can describe a glacier's movements and predict its effects, they cannot explain why the Hubbard Glacier or any of the 15 or so smaller frozen masses that are also surging in the Yakutat area -- albeit harmlessly -- began to speed up, while others...
Many specialists believe each glacier has a distinct personality and rhythm. Says Will Harrison at the University of Alaska: "Glaciers are delicate and individual things, like humans. Instability is built into them." Harrison and other experts emphasize the influence of what they call the "plumbing" -- the movement, retention and loss of liquid water within and under the ice that acts as a lubricant...
While the surging glacier may bring disaster to Yakutat, it provides a rare opportunity for scientists to study a major geophysical event. Mayo sympathizes with the villagers yet can scarcely contain his excitement. "This is probably the largest natural alteration in oceans, glaciers, lakes and rivers to occur in our lifetimes," he says, and it offers "unprecedented opportunities" for research. The villagers do not share his enthusiasm. Says Yakutat Grocer and Planning Official Caroline Powell: "We are people, not some scientist's experiment or opportunity. Everyone seems content to watch this happen, and if they feel sympathy...
...possible that the ice dam will give way under mounting water pressure behind it, there is no guarantee. He suggests that a channel be dug from the lake to the sea, bypassing the Situk so that the trapped water can escape without affecting the river. Others propose bombing the glacier: controlled explosions could blast a trench through the ice itself. But speed may be essential. Says Powell: "We're just now entering the rainy season, and at the rate it's filling, the lake could be ready to make its jump by the end of this year." Experts say, however...