Baby Glacier (Montana) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Baby Glacier |
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 Baby Glacier
Location in Montana
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | Glacier National Park, Flathead County, Montana, United States |
| Coordinates | 48°54′20″N 114°09′15″W / 48.90556°N 114.15417°W |
| Area | Approximately 19 acres (0.077 km2) in 2005 |
| Length | .25 mi (0.40 km) |
| Status | Retreating |
Baby Glacier is a small glacier located in Glacier National Park in the U.S. state of Montana. A glacier is like a very slow-moving river of ice. Baby Glacier sits in a special bowl-shaped area called a cirque. This cirque is on the northeast side of Numa Peak.
The glacier is found at a high elevation, between about 7,200 feet (2,195 meters) and 6,800 feet (2,073 meters) above sea level.
Discovering Baby Glacier
Baby Glacier is a fascinating part of Glacier National Park. It's named "Baby" because it's quite small compared to many other glaciers. It helps us understand how glaciers change over time.
Where to Find It
Baby Glacier is nestled within the beautiful mountains of Glacier National Park. This park is famous for its stunning scenery and, of course, its many glaciers. The glacier is specifically located in Flathead County, Montana.
How Big Is It?
In 2005, Baby Glacier covered an area of about 19 acres (0.077 square kilometers). To give you an idea, 19 acres is roughly the size of 14 football fields!
Many scientists say a glacier needs to be at least 25 acres (0.1 square kilometers) to be considered an "active" glacier. An active glacier is one that is still moving and shaping the land. Baby Glacier is smaller than this, which means it might not be moving much anymore.
Why Glaciers Shrink
Baby Glacier has been getting smaller over the years. Between 1966 and 2005, it lost about one-third of its total surface area. This means a big part of its ice melted away.
Many glaciers around the world are shrinking. Scientists study glaciers like Baby Glacier to learn more about how our planet's climate is changing. When glaciers melt, they can affect water supplies and sea levels.
Studying Baby Glacier helps scientists understand the history of the Earth's climate. It also helps them predict what might happen to other glaciers in the future.
