THE GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY'S ALASKAN EXPEDITION 



49 



MORAINE-COVERED FORESTED EASTERN MARGIN OF THE MARVINE LOBE OF 



MALASPINA GLACIER 



The ice, recently thrust forward, has protruded through the soil; the trees are tilted at 

 various angles and overturned ; and the underlying ice, exposed to air and rain, is rapidly 

 melting. Streams of water and of liquid mud descend the slope. 



fact not all the larger glaciers, can be 

 given careful study for years to come ; 

 for not only are there hundreds of such 

 glaciers, many of which are still un- 

 named, but large numbers of them are so 

 inaccessible that they can be studied only 

 by special expeditions, expensive from 

 the standpoint both as to time and of 

 money. 



While ultimately it is to be hoped and 

 expected that all of these glaciers will be 

 studied and mapped, the present needs 

 can be met by a study of a few selected 

 areas in which it is to be expected that 

 the principal phenomena of Alaskan gla- 

 ciation will be exhibited, and from which 

 facts can be observed which will solve 

 some of the larger problems and furnish 



basis for future study which will solve 

 others. 



In selecting these areas first considera- 

 tion should be given to the scientific 

 promise ; second, to the variety of phe- 

 nomena, and third, to the expenditure of 

 time and money. From the latter stand- 

 point accessibility is the key. Alaska is 

 being rapidly opened up by road and 

 railway building and river navigation, 

 and what is today quite inaccessible, may 

 in a few years be easy of access ; there- 

 fore it seems hardly wise, in view of the 

 broad field of opportunity, to expend 

 large amounts of time and money in a 

 study of what a few years hence may be 

 reached with ease in far less time and at 

 a far less expense. 



