AbstractSandy Glacier, occupying the head of a 3 km by 1 km cirque valley, is composed of a unique alternation of ice layers and sand layers. The sand was apparently brought by occasional very strong winds from Onyx River outwash 5 km away and 1,200 m lower. Pits dug in the accumulation zone revealed 115–210 cm of firn and sand layers directly overlying glacier ice that also contains sand layers. It is believed that not long ago there was no cover of firn on any part of this glacier. Accumulation appears to have recommenced perhaps 2–3 decades before the present.