Maclure Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maclure Glacier |
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![]() Mount Maclure and Maclure Glacier. Circa 1917
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Type | Mountain glacier |
Location | Mount Maclure, Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne County, California, U.S. |
Coordinates | 37°44′48″N 119°16′58″W / 37.74667°N 119.28278°W |
Area | .08 sq mi (0.21 km2) |
Length | .20 mi (0.32 km) |
Terminus | Talus |
Status | Retreating |
The Maclure Glacier is a small but important glacier. It is found high up on Mount Maclure in the beautiful Yosemite National Park in California, United States. This glacier is also sometimes called the McClure Glacier. It was named after a person called William Maclure.
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What is Maclure Glacier?
A glacier is a huge, slow-moving river of ice. The Maclure Glacier is a special type called a cirque glacier. This means it forms in a bowl-shaped hollow on the side of a mountain. It is located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Where is Maclure Glacier Located?
You can find the Maclure Glacier in Tuolumne County, California. It sits on Mount Maclure, which is part of the stunning Yosemite National Park. The glacier is quite high up, at an average height of about 11,400 ft (3,500 m).
How Big is Maclure Glacier?
Compared to some giant glaciers around the world, Maclure Glacier is quite small. It is about .20 mi (0.32 km) long. The total area it covers is only about .08 sq mi (0.21 km2).
Is Maclure Glacier Changing?
Yes, like many glaciers around the world, Maclure Glacier is getting smaller. Scientists call this "retreating." This means the ice is melting faster than new snow can turn into ice. The nearby Lyell Glacier on Mount Lyell is also retreating. Scientists study these changes to understand how our planet's climate is changing.