Middle Teton Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Middle Teton Glacier |
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Middle Teton Glacier
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 Middle Teton Glacier
Location in Wyoming
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Coordinates | 43°43′57″N 110°48′16″W / 43.73250°N 110.80444°W |
| Terminus | Moraine |
| Status | Retreating |
The Middle Teton Glacier is a large ice mass found on the side of Middle Teton mountain. This mountain is located in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, USA. This glacier is a popular spot for people who enjoy mountaineering and ice climbing. It also helps climbers reach the top of Middle Teton and other nearby peaks.
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What is the Middle Teton Glacier?
A glacier is a huge body of ice that moves very slowly over land. The Middle Teton Glacier is an alpine glacier. This means it formed high up in the mountains. It sits on the northeast side of Middle Teton, which is a tall mountain in the Teton Range.
Where is the Middle Teton Glacier Located?
The Middle Teton Glacier is found in Grand Teton National Park. This park is famous for its stunning mountains and beautiful nature. The glacier is at the western end of a place called Garnet Canyon. Garnet Canyon is a very popular path for climbers who want to reach the top of Grand Teton, which is the highest peak in the park.
Why is This Glacier Important for Climbers?
Many climbers use the Middle Teton Glacier as part of their adventure. It offers challenging routes for ice climbing, where people use special tools to climb on ice. It also provides a way for climbers to get to the summit, or very top, of Middle Teton. From there, they can also reach other mountains to the south.
What is Happening to the Glacier?
Like many glaciers around the world, the Middle Teton Glacier is getting smaller. Scientists call this "retreating." Between the years 1967 and 2006, the glacier lost about 25 percent of its surface area. This means it shrank from about 52 acres to 39 acres. The ice that melts from the glacier feeds streams below it. One of these streams forms Spalding Falls, which is a beautiful waterfall about 80 feet (24 meters) high.
