Mesahchie Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mesahchie Glacier |
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 Mesahchie Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | Skagit County, Washington, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 48°34′56″N 120°51′56″W / 48.58222°N 120.86556°W |
| Length | .35 mi (0.56 km) |
| Terminus | Barren rock/icefall |
| Status | Retreating |
Mesahchie Glacier is a cool river of ice found in North Cascades National Park in Washington, USA. It sits in a bowl-shaped valley called a cirque, just northeast of Mesahchie Peak. This glacier is pretty wide, about three-quarters of a mile across! It is also located right next to another glacier called Katsuk Glacier.
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What is a Glacier?
A glacier is like a giant, slow-moving river made of ice. It forms when snow piles up over many, many years. This snow gets packed down so tightly that it turns into thick ice. Glaciers move very slowly, carving out valleys and shaping mountains as they go.
How Glaciers Form
Glaciers need cold temperatures and lots of snowfall to form. Each winter, new snow falls on top of old snow. The weight of the new snow squeezes the snow below it. Over time, this pressure turns the fluffy snow into hard, dense ice.
Types of Glaciers
There are different kinds of glaciers. Mesahchie Glacier is a "mountain glacier." These glaciers form in high mountain areas. They often flow down valleys, like slow-motion icy rivers.
Where is Mesahchie Glacier Located?
Mesahchie Glacier is located in the beautiful North Cascades National Park. This park is known for its rugged mountains and many glaciers. The glacier is in Skagit County, Washington, which is in the northwestern part of the United States.
Mesahchie Peak and Jagged Edge
Mesahchie Glacier sits near Mesahchie Peak. This peak is the highest point along a ridge called Jagged Edge. Imagine a sharp, rocky line of mountains, and Mesahchie Peak is its tallest spot. The glacier is nestled in a valley on the northeast side of this peak.
The Status of Mesahchie Glacier
The Mesahchie Glacier is currently "retreating." This means it is getting smaller over time. When a glacier retreats, it melts faster than new snow can build it up. This causes the end of the glacier, called the terminus, to move backwards.
Why Glaciers Retreat
Glaciers can retreat for several reasons. Changes in climate, like warmer temperatures, can cause more ice to melt. Less snowfall in winter can also mean less new ice forms. Scientists study glaciers like Mesahchie to understand how our planet's climate is changing.
