kids encyclopedia robot

Great Nunatak facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Great Nunatak
Great Nunatak 1934.jpg
Aerial view from the south in 1934
Highest point
Elevation 3,652 ft (1,113 m)
Prominence 1,952 ft (595 m)
Isolation 3.33 mi (5.36 km)
Geography
Great Nunatak is located in Alaska
Great Nunatak
Great Nunatak
Location in Alaska
Location Chugach National Forest
Valdez-Cordova Borough
Alaska, United States
Parent range Chugach Mountains
Topo map USGS Anchorage A-1

Great Nunatak is a tall mountain peak in Alaska, United States. It stands about 3,652 feet (1,113 meters) high. You can find it about 21 miles (34 km) west of Valdez. This mountain is part of the Chugach Mountains.

Great Nunatak is located very close to the end of the Columbia Glacier. It is also about 11 miles (18 km) southeast of Columbia Peak. The land around it is managed by the Chugach National Forest. This mountain is about 2.2 miles long and has a second peak that is 3,412 feet high.

Naming the Great Nunatak

The name "Great Nunatak" comes from Grove Karl Gilbert. He was a geologist who worked for the United States Geological Survey (USGS). In 1899, Gilbert was part of the Harriman Alaska expedition. This group explored the area where the mountain is today.

Gilbert thought this mountain was the biggest nunatak in Alaska. A nunatak is a mountain peak that sticks out above a glacier or ice field. In 1902, he wrote about it and called it "the great nunatak."

The mountain's name became official in 1975. This was decided by the United States Board on Geographic Names.

No Longer a Nunatak

Even though it's still called Great Nunatak, it's not really a nunatak anymore. This is because the Columbia Glacier has been melting and shrinking.

In the past, the glacier almost completely surrounded the mountain. But now, the ice has pulled back. Water from Columbia Bay has replaced the ice on the north and west sides of the mountain. So, it's no longer a peak surrounded by ice.

Climate Around the Mountain

Great Nunatak is in a subarctic climate zone. This means it has very long, cold, and snowy winters. The summers are usually mild.

Weather systems from the Gulf of Alaska hit the Chugach Mountains. This causes a lot of rain and snow to fall. Temperatures can drop below −20 °C (–4 °F). With wind, it can feel even colder, below −30 °C (–22 °F). This cold climate helps the Columbia Glacier to exist near the mountain. The best time to visit or climb Great Nunatak is usually from May through June.

Images for kids

kids search engine
Great Nunatak Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.