Chavez Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chavez Glacier |
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 Location in Antarctica
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| Location | Ellsworth Land |
| Coordinates | 73°55′S 101°15′W / 73.917°S 101.250°W |
| Length | 10 nmi (19 km; 12 mi) |
| Thickness | unknown |
| Terminus | Cranton Bay |
| Status | unknown |
The Chavez Glacier is a large river of ice found in Antarctica. It is about 10 nmi (19 km; 12 mi) (that's about 18.5 kilometers or 11.5 miles) long. This glacier flows south from a place called Canisteo Peninsula and ends in Cranton Bay.
Contents
What is a Glacier?
A glacier is a huge mass of ice that moves very slowly over land. Think of it like a very slow-moving river, but made of ice instead of water! Glaciers form in places where snow falls but doesn't completely melt. Over many years, the snow piles up and gets pressed into thick, dense ice.
How do Glaciers Move?
Glaciers move because of gravity. The weight of the ice makes it slowly slide downhill. They can also flow like a very thick liquid. This movement can carve out valleys and shape the land over thousands of years.
Where is Chavez Glacier Located?
Chavez Glacier is located in Ellsworth Land, which is a part of Antarctica. Antarctica is the coldest continent on Earth, covered almost entirely by a thick ice sheet.
Exploring Antarctica
Antarctica is a fascinating place, but it's very remote and harsh. Scientists from all over the world travel there to study its unique environment. They learn about glaciers, ice sheets, climate change, and the amazing wildlife that lives there.
Who Was Pat Chavez?
The Chavez Glacier was named after a person named Pat Chavez. He worked for the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in Flagstaff, Arizona. Pat Chavez was a very important scientist.
Mapping Antarctica
In the 1990s, Pat Chavez was a leader of a team at the USGS. This team created special maps of Antarctica. They used advanced technology called Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR). These maps were very detailed and helped people understand the continent better. Naming the glacier after him was a way to honor his important work in mapping this icy land.
