THE VARIATIONS OF GLACIERS. IX 1 



HARRY FIELDING REID 

 Johns Hopkins University 



The following is a summary of the Ninth Annual Report of the 

 International Committee on Glaciers: 2 



REPORT ON GLACIERS FOR 1903 



Swiss Alps. — Of the ninety glaciers under the care of the Swiss 

 foresters, fifty-eight were measured in 1903; the larger number, 

 forty-three, are receding or stationary, and this is evidently the 

 condition of the large majority of the Swiss glaciers. The slight 

 tendency to increase shown last year by thirteen glaciers continues. 

 Three glaciers have been certainly increasing for the last three years ; 

 twelve have been increasing for a year or two. 



Between 1902 and 1903 the Rhone glacier has receded n.5 m 

 and has uncovered an area of 4,900 sqm . There have been a slight 

 thinning in the lower part of the glacier and a slight thickening 

 higher up. 3 



Eastern Alps. — We have reports from twenty-nine glaciers, 

 eighteen of which are retreating, six are about stationary, and five 

 are advancing. 



In the Silvretta group, two glaciers continue to retreat. The 

 Suldenferner in the Ortler group has advanced more than jo m 

 between 1895 and 1903, nearly one-half of which occurred between 

 1901 and 1903. This glacier is being carefully observed. In the 

 Oetzthal the Hochjochferner and the Hintereisferner are retreating, 

 whereas the Vernagtferner and the Diemferner show slight evidence 

 of advance. The Hochjoch has retreated 2.3™, and the Vernagt 

 has advanced 5 m . The Hintereis is growing thinner in the lower part, 



1 The earlier reports appeared in the Journal oj Geology, Vols. III-XII. 



2 Archives des sciences physiques et naturelles (Geneva, 1904), Vol. XVIII, pp. 

 160-95. 



3 Report of Professor Forel and M. Muret. 



3*3 



