Meares Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Meares Glacier |
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|---|---|
| Type | Tidewater glacier |
| Location | Valdez-Cordova Census Area, Alaska, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 61°14′23″N 147°25′03″W / 61.23972°N 147.41750°W |
| Length | 6 miles (10 km) |
| Terminus | Ocean (Unakwik Inlet) |
The Meares Glacier is a huge and special tidewater glacier located in Alaska. It sits at the very end of Unakwik Inlet, which is part of the beautiful Chugach National Forest. This glacier is one of many found in Prince William Sound. It is about 79.6 miles (128 km) east of the city of Anchorage.
What makes Meares Glacier unique is that it's a "tidewater" glacier. This means its front edge meets the ocean. It's also one of the few glaciers in the world that is currently growing, or "advancing," instead of shrinking! The glacier is named after John Meares, a British naval captain from the 1700s. The wide front of the glacier is about one mile (1.6 km) across where large chunks of ice break off and fall into the water. This process is called "calving." Sometimes, cruise ships from Valdez visit the glacier to see this amazing sight.
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Discovering Meares Glacier
Meares Glacier is a very impressive natural wonder. It is a large mass of ice that moves slowly over land. This glacier is special because it reaches the sea. When a glacier meets the ocean, it's called a tidewater glacier. Many glaciers around the world are shrinking because of climate change. However, Meares Glacier is actually growing bigger. This makes it a very interesting place for scientists to study.
Where is Meares Glacier?
Meares Glacier is located in the state of Alaska, in the United States. You can find it at the very top of Unakwik Inlet. This inlet is a long, narrow arm of the sea. The glacier is part of the vast Chugach National Forest. This forest is a huge protected area known for its stunning landscapes. Meares Glacier is also part of the many glaciers found in Prince William Sound. This is a large body of water on the southern coast of Alaska. The glacier is about 79.6 miles (128 km) east of Anchorage, which is Alaska's largest city.
What Makes Meares Glacier Special?
One of the most amazing things about Meares Glacier is that it is currently "advancing." This means it is moving forward and getting larger. Most glaciers around the world are "retreating," or shrinking. Scientists are very interested in why Meares Glacier is growing. It might be because of heavy snowfall in the mountains above it. This extra snow helps the glacier grow faster than it melts.
The front of the glacier is about one mile (1.6 km) wide. Here, huge pieces of ice break off and crash into the ocean. This loud event is called "calving." It creates icebergs that float in the inlet. People on cruise ships sometimes visit Meares Glacier to watch this incredible natural show. It's a powerful reminder of nature's strength.
Who Was John Meares?
The Meares Glacier is named after a person named John Meares. He was a British naval captain who lived in the 1700s. Captain Meares was an explorer and a fur trader. He explored parts of the Pacific Ocean and the coast of North America. Naming the glacier after him honors his contributions to exploration during that time.
