Nordic Mountains - Part I: Meltwater
The glaciated mountain ranges of Alaska are among the most visually powerful and environmentally sensitive regions on Earth. In recent years, a striking phenomenon has become increasingly common across these icy landscapes: the formation of meltwater pools on the surface of glaciers. These temporary basins, glowing blue against the white ice, are more than just visual anomalies - they are critical indicators of glacial instability in a warming climate.
As temperatures rise, surface melting intensifies and snow cover retreats earlier each season. Meltwater begins to collect in depressions on the ice, forming pools that can last for weeks or months. Beyond their surface beauty, these pools play an active role in weakening glaciers. When enough water gathers, it can create pressure deep into the ice, carving vertical shafts and reaching the glacier bed, where it accelerates movement and internal deformation.
In 2024 I was able to document this phenomenon by taking photos from the air during several flights in small aircrafts. My focus was to create a visual and geological record of how these fragile systems respond to rising temperatures and to remind us of what’s at stake as the ice continues to vanish.
This project is the first part of a series about the Alaskan mountain ranges.
These works are extremely rich in detail and are best experienced as large-format prints, such as in exhibitions or similar settings. The low-resolution online presentation does not do justice to the depth and scale of the project.
Selected artworks are available as fine art prints. Please visit the Print-Shop for orders and informations.
