Eldridge Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eldridge Glacier |
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|---|---|
| Type | Valley glacier |
| Location | Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 63°01′24″N 150°07′26″W / 63.02333°N 150.12389°W |
| Length | 30 miles (48 km) |
Eldridge Glacier is a very large glacier located in Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska, a state in the U.S.. This impressive ice river is about 30-mile (48 km) long. It starts high up on the east side of a mountain called Explorers Peak.
Where Eldridge Glacier Flows
The Eldridge Glacier flows first towards the northeast. It then moves into a large, bowl-shaped area below Mount Eldridge. As it travels, it collects more ice from several other glaciated areas called cirques. A cirque is like a natural amphitheater carved by a glacier.
The Glacier's Path
After gathering more ice, the glacier turns and flows southeast. It eventually reaches the valley of the Chulitna River. Here, the melting ice from Eldridge Glacier forms the beginning of the Fountain River.
Tributary Glaciers
Just a few miles before the main Eldridge Glacier ends, a large unnamed tributary glacier joins it. A tributary glacier is like a smaller river that flows into a bigger one, adding to its size and flow. This shows how glaciers can be part of a larger, connected system of ice.
