Columbia Glacier (Washington) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Columbia Glacier |
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Columbia Glacier in left background, looking north, in 2005
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 Columbia Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Coordinates | 47°57′45″N 121°20′55″W / 47.96250°N 121.34861°W |
| Area | .33 sq mi (0.85 km2) |
| Length | 1 mi (1.6 km) |
| Thickness | 246 ft (75 m) |
| Terminus | Moraine |
| Status | Retreating |
Columbia Glacier is a cool, icy river of ice found high up in the mountains of Washington state, USA. It's located in a special protected area called the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness. This glacier is surrounded by tall peaks like Columbia Peak, Monte Cristo Peak, and Kyes Peak. It's also an important source of water for a beautiful lake called Blanca Lake and a stream named Troublesome Creek. Troublesome Creek then flows into the North Fork Skykomish River.
Columbia Glacier: A Shrinking Giant
Columbia Glacier is a large body of ice located in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness in the U.S. state of Washington. It flows down from an elevation of about 5,600 feet (1,700 meters) to 4,700 feet (1,400 meters) above sea level.
Where is Columbia Glacier?
This glacier is nestled among several tall mountains. These include Columbia Peak, Monte Cristo Peak, and Kyes Peak. The glacier helps feed Blanca Lake, which is known for its bright turquoise color. It also contributes water to Troublesome Creek. This creek is a small river that eventually joins the larger North Fork Skykomish River.
Why is the Glacier Shrinking?
Columbia Glacier has been getting smaller over the years. Between 1979 and 2004, it shrank by about 278 feet (85 meters). This shrinking is happening because of changes in the climate. There has been less snow during the winter months. Also, the summers have been warmer, causing more ice to melt.
When a glacier loses more ice than it gains from new snow, it's called a negative mass balance. This means the glacier is out of balance with the current weather. Scientists expect Columbia Glacier to continue to get thinner and shrink even more in the future.
