Eliot Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eliot Glacier |
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An early 20th century image
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 Eliot Glacier
Location in Oregon
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | Hood River County, Oregon, United States |
| Coordinates | 45°22′52″N 121°40′49″W / 45.38111°N 121.68028°W |
| Area | 405 acres (164 ha) |
| Length | 1.5 mi (2.4 km) |
| Terminus | Talus |
| Status | Retreating |
Eliot Glacier is a large river of ice found on the side of Mount Hood in Oregon, United States. It is located on the northeastern slopes of this tall mountain. Like many glaciers around the world, Eliot Glacier has been getting smaller over time. However, it has shrunk less than most other glaciers on Mount Hood.
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Eliot Glacier: A Mount Hood Ice Giant
Eliot Glacier is one of the twelve named glaciers on Mount Hood. Mount Hood is a very tall volcano in Oregon. Glaciers are huge, slow-moving bodies of ice. They form over many years as snow piles up and gets compressed into ice. Think of them as frozen rivers that slowly flow down mountains.
What is a Glacier?
A glacier is a thick mass of ice that moves slowly over land. It forms when more snow falls in winter than melts in summer. This snow then compacts into ice. Glaciers are important because they store a lot of the world's fresh water. They also help shape mountains and valleys.
Where is Eliot Glacier Located?
Eliot Glacier is found on the northeast side of Mount Hood. This is a very high part of the mountain. Mount Hood itself is the highest peak in Oregon. It is part of the Cascade Range, a chain of mountains that runs through western North America. The glacier is within Hood River County, Oregon.
How Glaciers Change Over Time
Scientists have been watching Eliot Glacier for many years. In 2004, they measured its size. It covered an area of about 395 acres (160 ha). This is like covering 300 football fields with ice! However, the glacier has been shrinking. Since 1901, it has retreated, or moved back, by about 680 meters (2,230 ft). That's more than half a mile!
Why Do Glaciers Retreat?
Glaciers retreat when they melt faster than new snow can build them up. This melting is often caused by warmer temperatures. Climate change is a big reason why many glaciers around the world are shrinking. When glaciers retreat, they can affect water supplies and even sea levels.
Why is Eliot Glacier Special?
Even though Eliot Glacier is shrinking, it's doing so slower than almost all other glaciers on Mount Hood. There are a few reasons why this might be happening:
- Northeast Slope: It sits on a northeast-facing slope. This means it gets less direct sunlight, especially in the afternoon. Less sun means less melting.
- High Altitude: The glacier's highest part, called the accumulation zone, is very close to the summit of Mount Hood. This area is very cold. More snow falls here and less melts, helping the glacier stay strong.
- Talus Debris: The glacier is covered in a lot of rock and dirt, called talus debris. This debris acts like a blanket. It protects the ice underneath from the sun's heat, slowing down the melting process.
Eliot Glacier is a great example of how different factors can affect a glacier's health. Scientists continue to study it to learn more about how glaciers respond to a changing climate.
