Lava Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lava Glacier |
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 Lava Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
Lava Glacier
Location in the United States
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Coordinates | 46°13′40″N 121°29′34″W / 46.22778°N 121.49278°W |
| Area | 0.67 km2 (0.26 sq mi) in 2006 |
| Length | .75 mi (1.21 km) |
| Terminus | Talus |
| Status | Retreating |
Lava Glacier is a large mass of ice located on the northern slopes of Mount Adams. Mount Adams is a stratovolcano, which means it is a tall, cone-shaped volcano built up by many layers of hardened lava and ash. This glacier is found in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in the state of Washington, USA.
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Where is Lava Glacier?
Lava Glacier sits high up on Mount Adams. It starts at an elevation of about 10,000 feet (3,000 meters). The glacier then flows downwards. Its lower end, called the terminus, reaches about 7,800 feet (2,400 meters) above sea level.
How Big is Lava Glacier?
In 2006, Lava Glacier covered an area of about 0.67 square kilometers (0.26 square miles). It is roughly 0.75 miles (1.2 kilometers) long. However, its size has been changing over time.
Why is Lava Glacier Changing?
Lava Glacier has been getting smaller for more than 100 years. This process is called "retreating." Between 1904 and 2006, the glacier lost a large part of its surface. It shrank by about 74 percent of its total area. This retreat shows how glaciers can change over long periods.
Who Named Lava Glacier?
The name "Lava Glacier" was given by Harry Fielding Reid. He was a scientist who studied glaciers. In 1901, Reid explored Mount Adams' glaciers with C. E. Rusk. During their survey, they decided on the name for this specific glacier.
