A glacier is retreating at 25 meters per year. If the retreat rate increases by 2 meters each year, how far will it retreat over the next 5 years?

Mon, 04 May 2026 17:31:13 +0000

**How A Glacier Retreating at 25 Meters Per Year—With a Growing Pace—Will Reshape Our Future Over the Next 5 Years** As temperatures rise, glaciers worldwide are retreating at an accelerating pace, revealing how climate change directly impacts Earth’s frozen landscapes. A glacier currently retreating 25 meters each year is already reshaping local ecosystems and contributing to sea-level rise. But numbers tell only part of the story—when that retreat rate increases by 2 meters annually, the total retreat over just five years becomes a striking example of compounding change. This trend reflects not just glacial dynamics, but broader environmental shifts that resonate with policymakers, scientists, and communities across the United States. Understanding how much ice will disintegrate over the next half-decade requires more than simple multiplication—it demands recognizing a slowly escalating tempo. A low but steady retreat accelerates as each year adds 2 more meters to the annual loss. By tracing the math, we uncover a powerful trajectory: what starts as a predictable 25 meters becomes a steadily growing retreat, reshaping coastal maps and resource planning. ### Why Glacier Retreat Is Rising—What’s Driving This Trend in the U.S. and Beyond