"Decline in Glacier Mass Balance"
Provided by: Jill Pelto Gallery|Published on: April 27, 2021|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Artwork
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Visual and Performing Arts
Authors: Jill Pelto Gallery
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This is a watercolor and colored pencil artwork by Jill Pelto and is part of a series about the major impacts of global warming.
- "Decrease in Glacier Mass Balance" uses measurements from 1980-2014 of the average mass balance for a group of North Cascade, Washington glaciers.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The painting is simple and easy to appreciate and interpret.
- There are references at the bottom that can help explain the concept of glacier mass balance.
- This resource is ideal for sparking creativity in students.
Additional Prerequisites
- Learners should be familiar with the concept of glacier mass balance.
Differentiation
- The educator can sign the students up for a collaborative project with the artist Jill Pelto.
- Consider inviting the artist to speak via zoom about the artwork from her perspective.
- Students can be challenged to represent other climate change risks they identify in their community, in the form of art.
- The reference link provides a supporting video and article that students can use to learn more about glacier mass balance.
- Students can create a work of art inspired by Jill Pelto's style or an environmental issue that they feel strongly about.
- Other works by Jill Pelto include "Landscape of Change", "Measuring Crevasse Depth", and "Increasing Forest Fire Activity".
This resource shows continued deficit in glacier budget. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
