Once a nunatak (rock surrounded by ice), Prow Knob is now completely surrounded by water, confirmed by NASA Landsat satellite imagery. It rises ~975 feet above Alsek Lake.
The separation happened because the Alsek Glacier retreated more than 3 miles since 1984 — a visible pulse of climate change in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska.
According to recent analysis, the landscape now known as Prow Knob was last ice‑free during the Medieval Warm Period, around the 1300s. It was then buried and hidden for over 700 years as the Alsek Glacier expanded during the Little Ice Age.
The glacier has now retreated so dramatically that this "ghost landscape" is breathing again — making us the first generation in seven centuries to see this earth.
🗝️ Key takeaway: Prow Knob isn't just a "new" island — it's an ancient landmass returning from the Little Ice Age, revealed by modern climate change.
Source: Ecoportal (May 11, 2026) — referencing NASA satellite imagery and historical climate data.
This domain is dedicated to documenting and sharing the story of Earth's newest geographic wonder — a glacial island born in our lifetime. Whether you’re a geographer, journalist, climate educator, or traveler, this is the home for accurate, evolving information about Prow Knob.