Double Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Double Glacier |
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 Location in Alaska
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| Coordinates | 60°41′18″N 152°31′57″W / 60.6883333°N 152.5325000°W |
| Length | 11 mi (18 km) |
| Highest elevation | 3,491 ft (1,064 m) |
Double Glacier is a large ice river, about 11 miles (18 km) long. It is found in the Kenai Peninsula area of Alaska, in the United States. This glacier gets its name because it is split into two main parts, or "lobes." It is located about 47 miles (76 km) west-northwest of the city of Kenai.
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What is Double Glacier?
Double Glacier is a long, flowing mass of ice. It moves very slowly down a valley. Like many glaciers, it helps shape the land around it. The glacier is special because it looks like two separate glaciers joined together. This is why it's called "Double Glacier."
A Volcano Hidden in the Ice
Inside Double Glacier, there is a very old lava dome complex. A lava dome is a type of volcano that forms when thick, sticky lava piles up around a vent. This particular lava dome is from the Pleistocene age. The Pleistocene was a time in Earth's history when huge ice sheets covered much of the planet. This period lasted from about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago.
What is a Nunatak?
The lava dome complex forms something called a nunatak within the glacier. A nunatak is a mountain peak or rock that sticks out above the surface of a glacier or ice sheet. It's like an island of rock in a sea of ice.
How Old is the Volcano?
Scientists used a method called K–Ar dating to find out the age of the lava dome. K-Ar dating is a way to tell how old rocks are by looking at certain elements inside them. This method showed that the lava dome formed a very long time ago. It is between 627,000 and 887,000 years old. This means it was active during the Pleistocene Ice Age.
