kids encyclopedia robot

Mount Thomas (Alaska) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Mount Thomas
VIEW WEST ACROSS VALDEZ NARROWS TO ANDERSON GLACIER AND THE CHUGACH MOUNTAINS, ABOUT 11 MILES FROM THE NEW TANKER... - NARA - 555709.jpg
Aerial of Mt. Thomas across Valdez Narrows
Highest point
Elevation 4,350 ft (1,330 m)
Prominence 1,000 ft (300 m)
Isolation 2.06 mi (3.32 km)
Geography
Mount Thomas is located in Alaska
Mount Thomas
Mount Thomas
Location in Alaska
Location Valdez-Cordova Borough
Alaska, United States
Parent range Chugach Mountains
Topo map USGS Valdez A-8

Mount Thomas is a mountain in Alaska, United States. It stands about 4,350 feet (1,326 meters) tall. This peak is part of the Chugach Mountains.

Mount Thomas is located about 15 miles (24 km) west-southwest of the town of Valdez, Alaska. It sits right on the edge of the Chugach National Forest. Even though it's not the tallest mountain, it looks very impressive. This is because its eastern side rises sharply from the water of Prince William Sound's Valdez Narrows. It goes from sea level to its peak in only about 1.5 miles!

The mountain got its name in 1898 from Captain William R. Abercrombie. He likely named it after General George Henry Thomas, a famous figure from history.

Understanding the Climate at Mount Thomas

Mount Thomas has a very specific type of weather. It's in a subarctic climate zone. This means the winters are long, very cold, and get a lot of snow. The summers, however, are usually mild.

The weather here is heavily influenced by the Gulf of Alaska. When weather systems move in from the Gulf, they hit the tall Chugach Mountains. The mountains force the air upwards. This process is called orographic lift. When the air rises, it cools down and drops a lot of rain and snow. This is why the area gets so much precipitation.

During winter, temperatures can drop below -20 °C (-4 °F). With the wind chill, it can feel even colder, sometimes below -30 °C (-22 °F). Because of this cold climate, there's even an unnamed glacier on the northern side of Mount Thomas.

kids search engine
Mount Thomas (Alaska) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.