Klawatti Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Klawatti Glacier |
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Klawatti Glacier in 1969. At upper left is Klawatti Peak, while the North Klawatti Glacier is at far right.
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 Klawatti Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | North Cascades National Park, Skagit County, Washington, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 48°33′39″N 121°05′04″W / 48.56083°N 121.08444°W |
| Length | .85 mi (1.37 km) |
| Terminus | Icefall |
| Status | Retreating |
The Klawatti Glacier is a large, slow-moving river of ice located in the North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington. It sits on the eastern side of Klawatti Peak. This glacier is a natural wonder, constantly changing and moving, though very slowly.
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About Klawatti Glacier
Klawatti Glacier is a type of mountain glacier. It's found in a wild and beautiful area of Washington, known for its rugged mountains and many glaciers. Glaciers are important because they store a lot of fresh water and help shape the landscape over thousands of years.
Where is Klawatti Glacier Located?
You can find Klawatti Glacier high up in the North Cascades National Park. It's specifically on the east slopes of a mountain called Klawatti Peak. This area is part of Skagit County, Washington. The glacier ends above a lake called Klawatti Lake.
How Big is Klawatti Glacier?
Klawatti Glacier is quite large! It stretches for about .85 mi (1.37 km) (which is almost a mile) in length. At its widest point, where the ice ends, it measures about 1.2 mi (1.9 km) across. The glacier starts at a high elevation of about 8,000 ft (2,400 m) and flows down to about 6,600 ft (2,000 m).
What are Arêtes?
Around Klawatti Glacier, you'll find sharp, jagged ridges of rock called Arêtes. These arêtes act like natural walls, separating Klawatti Glacier from other nearby glaciers. For example, the Inspiration Glacier is to the southwest, the McAllister Glacier is to the northwest, and the North Klawatti Glacier is to the north. These rocky ridges were formed by glaciers carving away at the mountains on both sides.
Is Klawatti Glacier Changing?
Like many glaciers around the world, Klawatti Glacier is currently "retreating." This means it is getting smaller over time. The ice is melting faster than new snow can fall and turn into ice. Scientists study glaciers like Klawatti to understand how our climate is changing.
