East Nooksack Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Nooksack Glacier |
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East Nooksack Glacier
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Type | Mountain glacier |
Coordinates | 48°49′43″N 121°33′52″W / 48.82861°N 121.56444°W |
Length | .70 mi (1.13 km) |
Terminus | Barren rock/icefall |
Status | Retreating |
The East Nooksack Glacier is an amazing natural ice formation. It is located in North Cascades National Park in Washington state, U.S.. You can find it on the eastern slopes of a tall mountain called Mount Shuksan.
What is the East Nooksack Glacier?
A glacier is like a very slow-moving river made of ice. The East Nooksack Glacier is one of these incredible ice masses. Even though it's only about 0.70 mi (1.13 km) long, it fills a large, bowl-shaped area. This area is known as the Nooksack Cirque, and it stretches for more than 2 mi (3.2 km)!
Where is this Glacier Located?
The East Nooksack Glacier is high up in the mountains. At its highest point, it connects to another glacier called Crystal Glacier. This connection is at an elevation of about 7,800 ft (2,400 m) above sea level. The glacier spreads out from Nooksack Tower in the northwest to Seahpo Peak in the southeast.
What Happens to the Glacier's Water?
As the glacier slowly melts, the water flows into the Nooksack River. This meltwater is an important part of the river's flow. Glaciers like East Nooksack are always changing. They grow when more snow falls and shrink when the ice melts.