NASA satellites have captured the formation of a new island in Alaska created by melting glaciers. The area called Prow Knob was once part of the Alsek Glacier but became surrounded by water as the ice receded, forming Alsek Lake and isolating the landmass.
Images from 1984 and 2025 show the glacier’s dramatic retreat, with the ice moving more than five kilometers away from the mountain. This retreat has caused the lake to nearly double in size over four decades, consuming the ice that once held Prow Knob connected to the mainland.
This transformation is a clear signal of ongoing climate change. NASA scientists warn that as glaciers lose stability, they are more likely to break apart, further accelerating landscape changes.
