Minor Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Minor Glacier |
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Minor Glacier can be seen at center right, below the west flank of Gannett Peak
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 Minor Glacier
Location in Wyoming
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Coordinates | 43°11′12″N 109°39′45″W / 43.18667°N 109.66250°W |
| Length | .45 mi (0.72 km) |
| Terminus | Talus |
| Status | Retreating |
Minor Glacier is a cool natural ice formation found high up in the mountains of Wyoming, in the USA. It's located within the huge Bridger-Teton National Forest and is part of the amazing Wind River Range. This glacier is special because it's one of many in the American Rocky Mountains, forming one of the biggest groups of glaciers there!
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What is Minor Glacier?
A glacier is like a giant, slow-moving river of ice. It forms over many years as snow piles up and gets pressed into thick ice. Minor Glacier is a type of mountain glacier. This means it's found in high mountain areas. It moves very slowly down the mountain slopes.
Where is Minor Glacier Located?
Minor Glacier is in a beautiful and wild place called the Bridger Wilderness. This area is part of the larger Bridger-Teton National Forest. You can find it in Sublette County, Wyoming. The glacier sits on the west side of the Continental Divide. The Continental Divide is like a big line that separates which way water flows across North America. Water on one side flows to the Pacific Ocean, and on the other, it flows to the Atlantic or Arctic Oceans.
Near Wyoming's Tallest Peak
Minor Glacier is located right below the west side of Gannett Peak. Gannett Peak is the tallest mountain in all of Wyoming! Imagine a huge ice river sitting near the very top of the state. It's a truly amazing sight.
Why is Minor Glacier Important?
Minor Glacier is part of the largest collection of glaciers in the American Rocky Mountains. This makes it a very important natural feature. Glaciers are like giant frozen records of Earth's climate. Scientists can study them to learn about past weather and how the Earth is changing.
Is Minor Glacier Changing?
The status of Minor Glacier is listed as "retreating." This means the glacier is getting smaller over time. It's melting faster than new snow and ice can build up. Many glaciers around the world are retreating. This is often due to changes in Earth's climate. Studying glaciers like Minor Glacier helps scientists understand these global changes.
