Chocolate Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chocolate Glacier |
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Left to right, Cool, Chocolate, North Guardian and Dusty Glaciers on the east slopes of Glacier Peak
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 Chocolate Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Coordinates | 48°07′01″N 121°05′04″W / 48.11694°N 121.08444°W |
| Length | 1.9 mi (3.1 km) |
| Terminus | Talus |
| Status | Retreating |
The Chocolate Glacier is a large ice mass found on the eastern side of Glacier Peak. This mountain is located in the state of Washington in the USA. The glacier starts high up on the mountain and stretches down its slopes.
It is partly connected to another glacier called Cool Glacier. Cool Glacier is just south of Chocolate Glacier, near the very top of Glacier Peak.
Contents
What is Chocolate Glacier?
Chocolate Glacier is a type of mountain glacier. It is a huge, slow-moving river of ice. This glacier flows down the east side of Glacier Peak. It starts at about 10,400 feet (3,170 meters) high. It then stretches down to about 5,900 feet (1,800 meters) in elevation.
How Glaciers Change
Like many glaciers around the world, Chocolate Glacier is currently getting smaller. This process is called retreating. It means the end of the glacier is melting faster than new snow and ice can build up.
However, glaciers can also grow. This is called advancing. This happens when more snow falls and turns into ice than melts away.
Chocolate Glacier's History
Chocolate Glacier has changed size over many years.
- Between 1906 and 1946, the glacier retreated a lot. It shrank by about 1,380 meters (4,528 feet).
- Then, from about 1950 to 1979, the weather became cooler and wetter. During this time, the glacier actually advanced. It grew by about 450 meters (1,476 feet).
- Since 1979, Chocolate Glacier has started retreating again. It has shrunk by about 350 meters (1,148 feet). This means it is almost back to its smallest recorded size.
Current State of the Glacier
Even though it is retreating, Chocolate Glacier is still very active. The lower part of the glacier, about 300 meters (984 feet) long, is mostly still and not moving much. This part is called "stagnant" ice.
The glacier also has many deep cracks in its surface. These cracks are called crevasses. They form when the ice moves over uneven ground. This makes the glacier look rough and broken.
