Klondike Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Klondike Glacier |
|
|---|---|
 Klondike Glacier
Location in Wyoming
|
|
| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Coordinates | 43°13′26″N 109°39′59″W / 43.22389°N 109.66639°W |
| Length | .20 mi (0.32 km) |
| Terminus | proglacial lake |
| Status | unknown |
The Klondike Glacier is a cool natural wonder found in the Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming, USA. It sits on the eastern side of the Continental Divide, which is like a giant natural line that separates which way rivers flow across North America. This glacier is part of the amazing Wind River Range mountains.
The Klondike Glacier is also located within the Fitzpatrick Wilderness, a protected area known for its wild beauty. It slowly slides down the northeastern slopes of a mountain called Pedestal Peak. As it moves, the glacier flows eastward into a special kind of lake called a proglacial lake. It even touches another glacier, the Grasshopper Glacier, to its north.
Contents
What is the Klondike Glacier?
A glacier is a huge, slow-moving river of ice. The Klondike Glacier is a type of "mountain glacier." This means it forms high up in the mountains where snow falls and builds up over many years. The weight of the snow turns it into ice, and then gravity makes the ice slowly flow downhill.
Where is the Klondike Glacier Located?
The Klondike Glacier is in Fremont County, Wyoming. It's nestled within the vast Shoshone National Forest. This forest is one of the oldest national forests in the United States. The glacier is also part of the Wind River Range, a long mountain chain in Wyoming.
The Continental Divide
The Klondike Glacier is on the east side of the Continental Divide. Imagine a giant invisible line running through the mountains. On one side, all the rain and melted snow eventually flow towards the Atlantic Ocean. On the other side, the water flows towards the Pacific Ocean. The Klondike Glacier's meltwater heads east, towards the Atlantic.
How Does the Glacier Move?
Glaciers are not frozen solid in one place. They are always moving, even if it's very slowly. The Klondike Glacier flows east from Pedestal Peak. It moves like a very thick, icy river. This movement helps to shape the land around it, carving out valleys and leaving behind rocks and debris.
What is a Proglacial Lake?
As the Klondike Glacier melts, especially during warmer months, its water collects at its front edge. This creates a lake right in front of the glacier, which is called a "proglacial lake." These lakes are often very cold and can contain tiny bits of rock ground up by the glacier, making the water look cloudy or turquoise.
Glacial Neighbors
The Klondike Glacier isn't alone! It shares a "glacial margin" with the Grasshopper Glacier to its north. A glacial margin is simply the edge or boundary of a glacier. This means these two glaciers are very close to each other, almost touching.
