Lyall Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lyall Glacier |
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 Lyall Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
Lyall Glacier
Location in the United States
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | Chelan County, Washington United States |
| Coordinates | 48°29′16″N 120°44′50″W / 48.48778°N 120.74722°W |
| Length | 0.20 miles (0.32 km) |
| Terminus | Talus |
| Status | Retreating |
Lyall Glacier is a cool mountain glacier located in the Wenatchee National Forest in Chelan County, Washington, United States. It sits near Frisco Mountain and on the north side of Rainy Peak. This glacier is like a giant, slow-moving river of ice!
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All About Lyall Glacier
Where is Lyall Glacier?
Lyall Glacier is found in the beautiful Wenatchee National Forest in Washington State. This forest is a huge area of protected land with lots of trees, mountains, and wildlife. The glacier is in Chelan County, which is in the central part of Washington. It's also close to a mountain called Frisco Mountain.
What is a Glacier?
A glacier is a huge mass of ice that moves very slowly over land. Glaciers form when snow falls in one place and doesn't melt completely for many years. Over time, the snow gets packed down and turns into ice. This ice then starts to flow, like a very slow river. Lyall Glacier is a type of glacier called a mountain glacier, which means it forms in high mountain areas.
Lyall Glacier's Surroundings
Lyall Glacier sits in a bowl-shaped area on the north side of Rainy Peak. This kind of bowl is called a cirque. Water from the melting glacier flows into waterfalls that drop about 1,000 feet (305 meters) down to Rainy Lake. This meltwater is an important source of water for the area.
Why Glaciers are Important
Glaciers like Lyall Glacier are very important for several reasons:
- Water Supply: They store huge amounts of fresh water. When they melt slowly during warmer months, they provide water for rivers, lakes, and streams. This water is used by people, animals, and plants.
- Climate Clues: Glaciers can tell us a lot about Earth's past climate. Scientists study the ice to learn about temperatures and snowfall from long ago.
- Ecosystems: The meltwater from glaciers creates unique habitats for plants and animals.
Glacier Status: Retreating
The status of Lyall Glacier is "retreating." This means the glacier is getting smaller over time. When a glacier retreats, it means that more ice is melting away each year than is being added by new snowfall. Many glaciers around the world are currently retreating due to changes in climate.
