A close Up View of Franz Josef Glacier

Since 2008, Franz Josef Glacier has been in a period of retreat, and has lost around 800 metres of length. Glaciers advance and retreat as a part of a natural cycle. ... Franz Josef Glacier is a highly sensitive glacier. So, in theory a few massive snowfall years could trigger another period of advance or not! Franz Josef Glacier was first explored in 1865 by geologist Julius von Haast, who named it after the Austrian emperor. The glacier is five kilometres from the town of the same name, and a one and a half hour walk will take you to within 750m of its terminal face.