Dana Glacier (California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dana Glacier |
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|---|---|
| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | Mount Dana, Mono County, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 37°54′02″N 119°13′04″W / 37.90056°N 119.21778°W |
| Terminus | talus |
| Status | retreating |
The Dana Glacier is a cool natural ice formation. It is found high up in the mountains of California. This glacier sits on the eastern edge of Yosemite National Park. It is very close to a famous mountain called Mount Dana.
What is the Dana Glacier?
The Dana Glacier is a type of mountain glacier. It is a large, slow-moving river of ice. This glacier is located in a special bowl-shaped valley. This valley is called a cirque. The cirque faces towards the northwest. This means it gets less direct sunlight.
Where is it Located?
The glacier is found on the eastern side of Mount Dana. Mount Dana is a very tall mountain. It stands at 13,061 feet (3,981 meters) high. The glacier is also very near to Tioga Pass. This is a high mountain pass. It is also close to Highway 120. This road helps people visit the area.
The Dana Glacier sits on a very steep slope. This slope is on the western side of the cirque. It is also a shaded area. The main part of the glacier is between 11,500 and 11,800 feet (3,500 and 3,600 meters) high. But some parts, like the Dana Couloir, reach even higher. They go up to 12,500 feet (3,800 meters).
How Glaciers Change Over Time
Glaciers like the Dana Glacier can change size. They can grow bigger or shrink smaller. When a glacier gets smaller, it is called "retreating." This means the ice is melting faster than new snow can turn into ice.
Scientists have studied the Dana Glacier for many years. They used old photographs from 1883. They compared them to new photos taken in 2004. These pictures show that the Dana Glacier has gotten much smaller. It has retreated a lot over this time. This shows how much the climate can affect glaciers.
