Dixon Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dixon Glacier |
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 Dixon Glacier
Location in Montana
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | Glacier National Park, Glacier County, Montana, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 48°55′44″N 114°00′56″W / 48.92889°N 114.01556°W |
| Area | 59 acres (0.24 km2) in 2005 |
| Length | .30 mi (0.48 km) |
| Terminus | Moraine and talus |
| Status | Retreating |
Dixon Glacier is a cool ice giant found in Glacier National Park in Montana, U.S.. It's like a big, slow-moving river of ice. This glacier sits high up in the mountains, tucked into a bowl-shaped area called a cirque.
It's located near a tall peak called The Sentinel. The glacier is very high up, between about 8,500 feet (2,591 meters) and 7,400 feet (2,256 meters) above sea level. Dixon Glacier is also just east of the Continental Divide. This is a special line that separates rivers flowing to the Pacific Ocean from those flowing to the Atlantic.
Dixon Glacier is about 1 mile (1.6 km) east of another glacier called Thunderbird Glacier. In 2005, Dixon Glacier covered an area of about 59 acres (0.24 square kilometers). Between 1966 and 2005, it lost more than 45 percent of its surface area. This means it's getting much smaller over time.
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What is a Glacier?
A glacier is a huge mass of ice that moves very slowly. Think of it like a frozen river. Glaciers form in places where snow falls and builds up faster than it melts. Over many years, the layers of snow get compressed. This pressure turns the snow into dense ice.
Glaciers are important because they store a lot of the world's fresh water. They also help shape the land around them. As they move, they can carve out valleys and create unique landforms.
Where is Dixon Glacier Located?
Dixon Glacier is nestled in the beautiful Glacier National Park. This park is in the state of Montana in the U.S.. The park is famous for its stunning mountains, clear lakes, and, of course, its glaciers.
The glacier is found in a special bowl-shaped hollow on the side of a mountain. This hollow is called a cirque. It's just north of a mountain peak named The Sentinel.
How Big is Dixon Glacier?
In 2005, Dixon Glacier was about 59 acres (0.24 square kilometers) in size. To give you an idea, 59 acres is roughly the size of 45 football fields! It's not the biggest glacier, but it's still a significant ice mass.
The glacier is also about 0.30 miles (0.48 km) long. It sits at a high elevation, which helps it stay frozen. Its lowest point is around 7,400 feet (2,256 meters) above sea level.
Why is Dixon Glacier Shrinking?
Dixon Glacier is getting smaller, and this is a trend seen in many glaciers around the world. Between 1966 and 2005, Dixon Glacier lost over 45 percent of its surface area. This means almost half of its ice disappeared in less than 40 years.
Scientists study glaciers like Dixon Glacier to understand how our planet is changing. The shrinking of glaciers is often linked to changes in climate. Warmer temperatures can cause more ice to melt than snow falls, leading to the glacier getting smaller.
