Davenport Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Davenport Glacier |
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Davenport Glacier - arête - Boston Glacier
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 Davenport Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | North Cascades National Park, Chelan County, Washington, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 48°29′34″N 121°01′46″W / 48.49278°N 121.02944°W |
| Length | .20 mi (0.32 km) |
| Terminus | Icefall/barren rock |
| Status | Retreating |
Davenport Glacier is a small but important ice formation. It is found in a special bowl-shaped valley called a cirque. This glacier is located in the beautiful North Cascades National Park in Washington, USA.
The glacier is about 0.20 miles (0.32 kilometers) long. It sits high up in the mountains, between 7,500 and 8,000 feet (2,286 and 2,438 meters) above sea level. It is near Boston Peak and Sahale Mountain. A sharp, rocky ridge called "Ripsaw Ridge" separates it from the much larger Boston Glacier.
Contents
What is a Glacier?
A glacier is a huge mass of ice that moves slowly over land. Think of it like a very slow-moving river of ice! Glaciers form when snow falls in one place and doesn't melt completely. Over many years, this snow gets packed down. It turns into ice under its own weight.
Glaciers are found in cold places, like high mountains or near the Earth's poles. They can be different sizes, from small ones like Davenport Glacier to massive ice sheets. These ice sheets can cover entire continents.
Types of Glaciers
There are different kinds of glaciers. Davenport Glacier is a type called a mountain glacier. These glaciers form in mountain valleys. They flow down the slopes, carving out the land as they go.
Another type is a continental glacier or ice sheet. These are much bigger. They cover vast areas of land, like Greenland or Antarctica. They are not shaped by mountains but spread out over flat land.
Where is Davenport Glacier Located?
Davenport Glacier is in the North Cascades National Park. This park is in the state of Washington, in the northwestern part of the United States. The North Cascades are known for their rugged mountains and many glaciers.
The park is a wild and beautiful place. It has tall peaks, deep valleys, and lots of forests. It is a great spot for hiking and exploring nature. The glacier itself is in Chelan County, Washington.
Mountains Near the Glacier
Davenport Glacier sits southeast of Boston Peak. This is one of the many impressive mountains in the North Cascades. It is also northeast of Sahale Mountain. These peaks are part of the Cascade Range.
The glacier is separated from the bigger Boston Glacier by a narrow, sharp ridge. This ridge is called an arête. An arête is formed when two glaciers erode, or wear away, rock on either side of a mountain.
Why are Glaciers Important?
Glaciers are very important for several reasons. They store a lot of the world's fresh water. When they melt slowly, they provide water for rivers and streams. This water is used by people, animals, and plants.
Glaciers also help scientists study Earth's climate. By looking at ice cores from glaciers, scientists can learn about past temperatures and atmospheres. This helps us understand how our climate is changing.
Glaciers and Climate Change
The infobox for Davenport Glacier says its status is "Retreating." This means the glacier is getting smaller. It is melting faster than new snow can build it up. Many glaciers around the world are retreating.
This retreat is a sign of climate change. As the Earth's temperature rises, glaciers melt more quickly. This can affect water supplies and sea levels. Studying glaciers like Davenport helps us understand these global changes.
Images for kids
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Davenport Glacier - arête - Boston Glacier
