McAllister Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids McAllister Glacier |
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McAllister Glacier in 2007
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 McAllister Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | North Cascades National Park, Skagit County, Washington, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 48°33′24″N 121°07′49″W / 48.55667°N 121.13028°W |
| Length | 1.85 mi (2.98 km) |
| Terminus | Icefall |
| Status | Retreating |
McAllister Glacier is a large sheet of ice located in North Cascades National Park in the state of Washington, U.S.. It sits high up in the mountains, nestled in a bowl-shaped area called a cirque. This glacier is an important part of the park's natural beauty and helps shape the landscape around it.
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What is McAllister Glacier?
A glacier is a huge, slow-moving river of ice. McAllister Glacier is a type of mountain glacier. It forms in a large, natural hollow in the mountainside, which is known as a cirque. This particular cirque is found to the north and east of a mountain peak called Dorado Needle.
Where is McAllister Glacier Located?
McAllister Glacier is located within the beautiful North Cascades National Park. This park is in Skagit County, Washington. The glacier is part of a large system of ice and mountains in this area.
How Big is McAllister Glacier?
McAllister Glacier is quite large. It stretches for about 1.85 mi (2.98 km) (nearly 3 kilometers) in length. At its widest point, which is near its end, it measures about 1.5 mi (2.4 km) (about 2.4 kilometers) across. The glacier flows downhill from a high point of about 8,000 ft (2,400 m) (2,438 meters) to a lower elevation of about 4,500 ft (1,400 m) (1,372 meters).
The end of the glacier, called its terminus, is near a lake formed by the melting ice. This type of lake is known as a proglacial lake.
What is Around McAllister Glacier?
McAllister Glacier is surrounded by other interesting natural features. It is almost connected to another glacier called Inspiration Glacier to the south. These two glaciers are separated by a sharp, narrow ridge of rock known as an arête. This specific arête is called Tepeh Towers.
To the east, Klawatti Peak and another arête extending from it separate McAllister Glacier from the Klawatti Glacier.
Is McAllister Glacier Changing?
Like many glaciers around the world, McAllister Glacier is currently getting smaller. This process is called "retreating." Scientists use satellite images to track these changes. Between 1998 and 2006, McAllister Glacier retreated by more than 500 ft (150 m) (about 152 meters). This means its end point moved back by that distance.
