Falling Ice Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Falling Ice Glacier |
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Falling Ice Glacier on Mount Moran on left. The other glacier visible is Skillet Glacier at right
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 Falling Ice Glacier
Location in Wyoming
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Coordinates | 43°50′00″N 110°46′13″W / 43.83333°N 110.77028°W |
| Terminus | rockfall |
| Status | unknown |
Falling Ice Glacier is a cool natural ice formation found in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, United States. It sits high up on the southeastern side of a big mountain called Mount Moran. You can even see this glacier from a valley known as Jackson Hole. Water that melts from Falling Ice Glacier flows into Leigh Lake, which is a beautiful lake nearby.
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What is Falling Ice Glacier?
Falling Ice Glacier is a type of mountain glacier. This means it's a large mass of ice that forms in high, cold places, usually in mountains. It's located in a special bowl-shaped area on the mountain called a cirque. Imagine a giant scoop taken out of the side of a mountain, and that's where the glacier rests!
Where is it Located?
This glacier is nestled within the amazing Grand Teton National Park. This park is famous for its tall, jagged mountains, clear lakes, and lots of wildlife. The glacier is on Mount Moran, which is one of the tallest peaks in the park. It's also along one of the main paths that climbers use to reach the very top of Mount Moran.
How Old is the Glacier?
Most of the glaciers you see in Grand Teton National Park, including Falling Ice Glacier, formed during a period called the Little Ice Age. This wasn't a full-blown ice age, but it was a time when temperatures were colder than usual. It lasted from about 1350 to 1850 AD. During this time, glaciers grew bigger and spread out.
Is the Glacier Changing?
Since the middle of the 1800s, most glaciers around the world, including Falling Ice Glacier, have been getting smaller. This process is called retreating. It means the glacier is melting faster than new snow and ice can build up. Scientists study glaciers like Falling Ice Glacier to understand how our planet's climate is changing over time.
