Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis have documented the rapid melting of the Sunlight glacier in Wyoming, which has existed since the last major glaciation approximately 20,000 years ago. The glacier is now melting at a rate of up to 50 centimeters per year, with some sections potentially becoming ice-free within a decade, though thicker areas and surrounding permafrost will persist longer. Led by postdoctoral researcher Tyler Meng, the multi-institution team utilized geophysical instruments, satellite data, and new methodologies, building upon over 100 years of observations, including photos from the 1960s and a U.S. Geological Survey image from 1893. This research not only quantifies the loss of this specific glacier but also serves as a template for understanding global glacial systems and their impacts on local environments, water resources, and potential hazards like landslides.