Noisy Creek Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Noisy Creek Glacier |
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Noisy Creek Glacier
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 Noisy Creek Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
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| Type | Cirque glacier |
| Coordinates | 48°40′21″N 121°31′42″W / 48.67250°N 121.52833°W |
| Length | .55 mi (0.89 km) |
| Terminus | Icefall |
| Status | Retreating |
Noisy Creek Glacier is a fascinating ice formation found in North Cascades National Park in the state of Washington, USA. It's located about half a mile northwest of a mountain called Bacon Peak. This glacier is a huge, slow-moving river of ice that helps shape the landscape around it.
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What is Noisy Creek Glacier?
Noisy Creek Glacier is a type of glacier known as a cirque glacier. This means it forms in a bowl-shaped hollow on the side of a mountain. Think of it like a giant armchair carved into the rock, where snow and ice collect and compact over many years.
Where is it Located?
This glacier is nestled high in the North Cascades National Park. It's in Whatcom County, Washington, which is in the northwestern part of the United States. The glacier sits at a high elevation, descending from about 6,400 feet down to 5,800 feet above sea level.
What's Happening to the Glacier?
Noisy Creek Glacier is currently retreating. This means it is getting smaller over time. As the glacier melts, it leaves behind small lakes. These are called proglacial lakes, and they form right at the edge of the melting ice.
Why is it Retreating?
Glaciers like Noisy Creek are very sensitive to changes in climate. When temperatures get warmer, the ice melts faster than new snow can fall and turn into ice. This causes the glacier to shrink and pull back.
How is it Being Studied?
The National Park Service is actively studying Noisy Creek Glacier. They are part of a special project that monitors glaciers. By watching how glaciers change, scientists can learn more about climate change and its effects on our planet.
Why is Monitoring Important?
Monitoring glaciers helps scientists understand how fast they are melting. This information is important for predicting future water supplies. It also helps us see the bigger picture of how Earth's climate is changing.
Neighboring Glaciers
A natural ridge of rock separates Noisy Creek Glacier from another glacier called Green Lake Glacier. Green Lake Glacier is located to the east. This shows how many glaciers can be found in the rugged North Cascades mountains.
