Diobsud Creek Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Diobsud Creek Glacier |
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 Diobsud Creek Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
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| Type | Alpine glacier |
| Coordinates | 48°39′49″N 121°31′13″W / 48.66361°N 121.52028°W |
| Length | .80 mi (1.29 km) |
| Terminus | Barren rock/icefall |
| Status | Retreating |
The Diobsud Creek Glacier is a cool river of ice found in North Cascades National Park in the state of Washington, U.S.. It sits on the eastern slopes of a mountain called Bacon Peak. This glacier has a gentle slope, slowly sliding downhill. It drops from about 7,000 feet to 6,000 feet over a distance of almost one mile. A sharp ridge, known as an arête, separates the Diobsud Creek Glacier from the Green Lake Glacier to its north.
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Discovering the Diobsud Creek Glacier
The Diobsud Creek Glacier is a fascinating natural wonder. It is part of the amazing landscape within North Cascades National Park. Glaciers are like very slow-moving rivers made of ice. They form when snow piles up over many years and gets compressed into ice.
Where is This Glacier?
This glacier is located in the beautiful North Cascades National Park. This park is in the state of Washington, in the northwestern part of the United States. The park is famous for its rugged mountains, deep valleys, and many glaciers. The Diobsud Creek Glacier is specifically found on the east side of Bacon Peak, a prominent mountain in the area.
What is an Alpine Glacier?
The Diobsud Creek Glacier is an alpine glacier. This type of glacier forms in mountain valleys. They are also called valley glaciers. Alpine glaciers flow downhill due to gravity. They carve out U-shaped valleys as they move. The ice slowly scrapes away rock and soil beneath it.
How Glaciers Change Over Time
The Diobsud Creek Glacier is currently in a state of retreat. This means the glacier is getting smaller. It is melting faster than new snow can build up and turn into ice. Many glaciers around the world are retreating. This is often due to changes in climate. When a glacier retreats, its end point, or "terminus," moves further up the mountain. For this glacier, its terminus is currently a mix of bare rock and icefall.
Cool Mountain Features: Arêtes
An arête is a sharp, knife-like ridge of rock. It is often found in mountain ranges that have been shaped by glaciers. Arêtes form when two glaciers flow side-by-side. As they move, they erode the rock on either side of the ridge. This leaves behind a narrow, jagged crest. The arête near Diobsud Creek Glacier helps separate it from the Green Lake Glacier.
