Page:Canadian Alpine Journal I, 1.djvu/221

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148
Canadian Alpine Journal

Victoria Glacier (Lake Louise).

We have made some measurements to show the recession of the Victoria glacier. Its whole lower portion is so deeply buried in morainal material that the tongue is very difficult to distinguish. The motion is also complex, as there is a sideways movement across the main stream caused by the inflow of the Lefroy glacier. The tongue at present appears to be on the left side. Here the recession appears to have been about 17 feet per annum between 1898 and 1903; since then, there has practically been no movement.

We have also endeavored to approximate the rate of flow of this glacier at two different points, one near the forefoot, and the other about two miles further up. These observations were made with the aid of some large boulders, and the prismatic compass, by which means the position of the rocks was located in successive seasons relative to fixed points not on the ice. The amount of the flow was about 147 feet during the year 1899- 1900.

We have also visited and photographed a number of other glaciers, but on none of them have we made any accurate measurements and observations. In the interests of science, it is much to be hoped that the number of glaciers studied will be very largely extended. The field is an extensive one and there are many problems to be solved.