It is active, advancing 25 m (82 ft) every year,[1] and, due to easy access from Kangerlussuaq, it remains a popular place for tourists to visit.

The ice sheet outflow ending in Russell Glacier is bounded on the north by the tundra highland of Isunngua and on the south by an exposed, barren, flattened ridge of Akuliarusiarsuk.

Several meltwater outflow streams from the base of the glacier form the Akuliarusiarsuup Kuua river, which flows west-southwest towards Kangerlussuaq.

Due to the minimal height differential, its waters are not conjoint with the meltwater outflow lake immediately to the west of Russell Glacier.

A 2014 study, based on subglacial drainage samples (dominated by Pseudomonadota), found evidence of methane cycling below the ice sheet of the Russell Glacier.