Hidden Creek Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hidden Creek Glacier |
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 Hidden Creek Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Coordinates | 48°43′17″N 121°30′06″W / 48.72139°N 121.50167°W |
| Length | .75 mi (1.21 km) |
| Terminus | Icefall |
| Status | Retreating |
Hidden Creek Glacier is a cool natural ice formation found in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington. It sits on the northwest side of Hagan Mountain. This glacier is a great example of how Earth's climate can change, as it has been getting smaller over the years.
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What is Hidden Creek Glacier?
Hidden Creek Glacier is a type of mountain glacier. These glaciers form high up in mountains where snow falls and builds up year after year. The snow gets packed down and turns into ice. Over time, this ice mass slowly moves downhill, like a very slow-moving river of ice. Hidden Creek Glacier is about .75 mi (1.21 km) long. Its end, called the terminus, is an icefall, which means the ice breaks apart as it flows over steep ground.
Where is Hidden Creek Glacier Located?
This glacier is located in the beautiful North Cascades National Park. This park is in Whatcom County, Washington, a part of Washington state. The North Cascades are a mountain range known for their rugged peaks and many glaciers. Hidden Creek Glacier is specifically found on the slopes of Hagan Mountain, which is one of the peaks in this range.
Why is the Glacier Changing?
Hidden Creek Glacier, like many glaciers around the world, is currently retreating. This means it is getting smaller and melting faster than new snow can build up. Scientists have been watching this glacier closely.
Signs of Glacier Retreat
Between 1979 and 2005, the glacier's retreat started to show something interesting: new rock outcroppings appeared in the middle of the ice. Rock outcroppings are simply parts of the mountain rock that become visible as the ice covering them melts away. Even though the very end of the glacier only moved back about 50 m (160 ft) between 1979 and 2011, the increase in these exposed rocks tells us something important.
Rapid Thinning of the Glacier
The fact that more and more rocks are showing in the middle of the glacier means it is thinning rapidly. Imagine a thick blanket of snow and ice. If it gets thinner, the ground underneath starts to show through. This thinning is a big sign that the glacier is losing a lot of its ice, even if its "foot" (the terminus) isn't moving back super fast. This rapid thinning is often linked to warmer temperatures, which cause the ice to melt faster.
Importance of Glaciers
Glaciers like Hidden Creek Glacier are very important for several reasons:
- Water supply: They store huge amounts of fresh water. When they melt slowly, they provide water for rivers and streams, which is used by people and wildlife.
- Climate indicators: Glaciers are like giant thermometers. How fast they grow or shrink tells scientists a lot about changes in Earth's climate.
- Ecosystems: The cold meltwater from glaciers creates unique habitats for certain plants and animals.
Scientists continue to study glaciers like Hidden Creek Glacier to understand more about our changing planet.
