Lupfer Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lupfer Glacier |
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 Lupfer Glacier
Location in Montana
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | Glacier National Park, Flathead County, Montana, United States |
| Coordinates | 48°28′38″N 113°30′44″W / 48.47722°N 113.51222°W |
| Area | Approximately 16 acres (0.065 km2) |
| Length | .15 mi (0.24 km) |
| Terminus | Talus |
| Status | Retreating |
Lupfer Glacier is a small ice mass located in Glacier National Park in the U.S. state of Montana. It sits high in the mountains, east of Mount Phillips. Glaciers are large bodies of ice that move slowly over land. They form when snow piles up over many years and turns into ice.
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What is Lupfer Glacier?
Lupfer Glacier is a type of mountain glacier. This means it is found in a mountain range. It is located at a high elevation, between 6,500 ft (2,000 m) and 6,000 ft (1,800 m) above sea level. The cold temperatures at these heights help the ice to survive.
Where is Lupfer Glacier Located?
This glacier is part of the beautiful landscape of Glacier National Park. The park is known for its stunning mountains and many glaciers. Lupfer Glacier is specifically found in Flathead County, Montana. It is an important part of the park's natural environment.
How Big is Lupfer Glacier?
Lupfer Glacier covers an area of about 16 acres (0.065 km2). To give you an idea, one acre is roughly the size of a football field. So, this glacier is about 16 football fields big. Many scientists consider a glacier to be "active" if it is at least 25 acres (0.10 km2) in size. This means Lupfer Glacier is smaller than what is often considered an active glacier.
Why is Lupfer Glacier Shrinking?
Like many glaciers around the world, Lupfer Glacier is getting smaller. Between 1966 and 2005, it lost more than half of its surface area. This means it shrank by over 50 percent in less than 40 years. This shrinking is a sign of warmer temperatures. As the climate changes, glaciers often melt faster than new snow can build up. This causes them to retreat, or get smaller over time.
