The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) operates a long-term "benchmark" glacier program to monitor climate, glacier geometry, glacier thickness, glacier motion, and stream runoff. The data collected are used to understand glacier-related hydrologic processes and improve the quantitative prediction of water resources, glacier-related hazards, and the consequences of climate change . The monitor records the net thickness which is a balance between accumulation of ice to ablation (melting).
