Ipasha Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ipasha Glacier |
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 Ipasha Glacier
Location in Montana
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | Glacier National Park, Glacier County, Montana, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 48°50′34″N 113°48′48″W / 48.84278°N 113.81333°W |
| Area | Approximately 52 acres (0.21 km2) in 2005 |
| Length | .20 mi (0.32 km) |
| Terminus | Barren rock |
| Status | Retreating |
Ipasha Glacier is a beautiful ice formation located in Glacier National Park in the US state of Montana. It is a type of glacier known as a mountain glacier. This means it forms high up in the mountains. The glacier is an important part of the park's natural beauty. It also helps feed nearby lakes and waterfalls with its meltwater.
Where is Ipasha Glacier?
This glacier is found in a special bowl-shaped area called a cirque. A cirque is like a natural amphitheater carved by glaciers. Ipasha Glacier sits to the southeast of another glacier called Chaney Glacier. It is also just east of the Continental Divide. The Continental Divide is a line of high ground. It separates rivers that flow to the Pacific Ocean from those that flow to the Atlantic Ocean.
The glacier is located at a high elevation. Its elevation is between 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) and 7,600 feet (2,316 meters) above sea level. This high altitude helps the glacier stay frozen for most of the year.
Size and Changes Over Time
In 2005, Ipasha Glacier covered an area of about 52 acres (0.21 square kilometers). To give you an idea, 52 acres is roughly the size of 40 football fields!
However, the glacier has been getting smaller. In 2005, it was about one-third smaller than it was in 1966. This shrinking is a sign that the glacier is retreating. Retreating means the glacier is melting faster than new snow and ice can build up. Many glaciers around the world are retreating due to changes in climate.
Water from the Glacier
As the glacier melts, its water flows away. This meltwater creates a beautiful waterfall called Ipasha Falls. From there, the water continues its journey. It eventually flows into Ipasha Lake. This shows how glaciers are a source of fresh water for lakes and rivers. They are a vital part of the water cycle in mountain regions.
