Butterfly Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Butterfly Glacier |
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 Butterfly Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
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| Type | Alpine glacier |
| Location | Chelan and Snohomish County, Washington, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 48°04′04″N 120°59′41″W / 48.06778°N 120.99472°W |
| Length | .70 mi (1.13 km) |
| Terminus | Barren rock/icefall |
| Status | Retreating |
The Butterfly Glacier is a cool ice formation found in the Wenatchee National Forest in Washington, USA. It sits high up on the northwest side of Luahna Peak. This glacier is actually split into two parts, with the larger section on the east side.
What is the Butterfly Glacier?
The Butterfly Glacier is an alpine glacier. This means it's a glacier that forms in mountains, often in bowl-shaped hollows called cirques. It's made of snow that has fallen over many years and compacted into ice.
This glacier is located in the beautiful Glacier Peak Wilderness. This is a protected area, meaning it's kept wild and natural for everyone to enjoy.
Where Can You Find Butterfly Glacier?
Butterfly Glacier is in the state of Washington, in both Chelan County and Snohomish County. It's about 6 miles (or about 9.6 kilometers) southeast of a bigger mountain called Glacier Peak.
The larger part of the glacier on the east side starts at about 8,000 feet (2,400 meters) high and goes down to about 6,600 feet (2,000 meters). A sharp, rocky ridge called an arête separates Butterfly Glacier from another glacier called Pilz Glacier to its east.
How Big is Butterfly Glacier?
The Butterfly Glacier is about 0.70 miles (1.13 kilometers) long. It's currently retreating, which means it's getting smaller over time. This is a common trend for many glaciers around the world due to changes in climate.
