American Legion Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids American Legion Glacier |
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Type | Mountain glacier |
Coordinates | 43°08′55″N 109°39′48″W / 43.14861°N 109.66333°W |
Area | 25 acres (10 ha) |
Length | .20 mi (0.32 km) |
Width | .20 mi (0.32 km) |
Terminus | Talus |
Status | Unknown |
The American Legion Glacier is a cool natural ice formation found in the Bridger Wilderness area. This wilderness is part of the huge Bridger-Teton National Forest in the state of Wyoming, USA.
What is a Glacier?
A glacier is like a giant, slow-moving river of ice. It forms over many years as snow piles up and gets compressed into ice. Glaciers move very slowly, carving out valleys and shaping mountains as they go. The American Legion Glacier is a type called a mountain glacier, meaning it's high up in the mountains.
Where is the American Legion Glacier?
This glacier is located in a beautiful part of Wyoming. It sits on the eastern side of a mountain called American Legion Peak. The glacier stretches from an elevation of about 12,400 ft (3,800 m) down to 11,800 ft (3,600 m). That's really high up in the mountains!
It's also near other interesting places. If you look west from the American Legion Glacier, you'll find Twins Glacier. About .50 mi (0.80 km) to the east, there's another glacier called Stroud Glacier.
The American Legion Glacier is also at the very beginning, or "head," of a valley known as Titcomb Basin. A basin is like a big bowl-shaped area in the mountains. The glacier's end, or "terminus," rests on something called "talus." Talus is a slope made of broken rocks that have fallen from cliffs above.
The Bridger Wilderness
The Bridger Wilderness is a special protected area. It's part of the larger Bridger-Teton National Forest. This forest is a huge natural space with mountains, forests, and wildlife. Wilderness areas are kept wild, meaning there are no roads or buildings, so nature can thrive. It's a great place for hiking and exploring the outdoors.