Retreat of glacier fronts across Heard Island is evident when comparing aerial photographs taken in December 1947 with those taken on a return visit in early 1980. Retreat of Heard Island glaciers is most dramatic on the eastern section of the island, where the termini of former tidewater glaciers are now located inland. Glaciers on the northern and western coasts have narrowed significantly, while the area of glaciers and ice caps on Laurens Peninsula have shrunk by 30–65%.
Retreat of glacier fronts across Heard Island is evident when comparing aerial photographs taken in December 1947 with those taken on a return visit in early 1980 Retreat of Heard Island glaciers is most dramatic on the eastern section of the island where the termini of former tidewater glaciers are now located inland Glaciers on the northern and western coasts have narrowed significantly while the area of glaciers and ice caps on Laurens Peninsula have shrunk by 30–65%