Nooksack Cirque facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nooksack Cirque |
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Nooksack Cirque
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 Nooksack Cirque
Location in Washington (state)
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| Length | 1.5 mi (2.4 km) |
| Width | 2.5 mi (4.0 km) |
| Depth | 3,800 ft (1,200 m) |
| Geology | |
| Type | Glacial |
| Geography | |
The Nooksack Cirque is a special place found in the beautiful North Cascades National Park. This park is located in the state of Washington, USA. A cirque is like a giant, bowl-shaped hollow in the side of a mountain. The Nooksack Cirque was carved out by powerful glaciers long ago. It sits on the eastern slopes of a tall mountain called Mount Shuksan.
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What is a Mountain Cirque?
A cirque (say "serk") is a natural amphitheater, or a big, bowl-shaped valley. It is usually found high up in the mountains. Imagine a giant scoop taken out of the side of a mountain. That's what a cirque looks like! These unique shapes are created by the slow but powerful movement of glaciers.
How Glaciers Shape the Land
Glaciers are like very slow-moving rivers of ice. When snow falls in high mountain areas, it builds up over many years. This snow gets packed down and turns into ice. Gravity then pulls this huge mass of ice slowly downhill. As a glacier moves, it scrapes and grinds against the rock beneath it. This process is called glacial erosion.
Over thousands of years, the ice carves out the land. It plucks away rocks and grinds down the mountain slopes. This is how the deep, curved shape of a cirque is formed. The Nooksack Cirque was created by this amazing natural process.
The East Nooksack Glacier
Inside the Nooksack Cirque, you can find the East Nooksack Glacier. This glacier is still active today. It sits below a steep rock wall known as Jagged Ridge. The glacier continues to shape the cirque, though very slowly. The ice and snow from this glacier are very important for the area's water supply.
Where is Nooksack Cirque?
The Nooksack Cirque is located deep within the North Cascades National Park. This park is famous for its rugged mountains, many glaciers, and beautiful forests. The cirque is in Whatcom County, Washington, which is in the northwestern part of the state. It is a remote area, meaning it is far from towns and cities.
Mountains Around the Cirque
The Nooksack Cirque stretches for about 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) across. It is surrounded by impressive mountain peaks. To one side is a subpeak of Mount Shuksan called Nooksack Tower. On the other side is Seahpo Peak. These tall mountains form the high walls of the cirque. They also help to trap snow, feeding the glacier inside.
The Nooksack River's Beginning
One of the most important things about the Nooksack Cirque is that it is the starting point for the Nooksack River. Streams flow out of the cirque, carrying meltwater from the East Nooksack Glacier. This cold, clear water forms the very first trickles of the river. The Nooksack River then flows westward, eventually reaching Bellingham Bay and the Pacific Ocean. It provides water for wildlife, farms, and communities along its path.
