Norman Clyde Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Norman Clyde Glacier |
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 Norman Clyde Glacier
Location in California
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | Norman Clyde Peak, Inyo County, California, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 37°04′45″N 118°28′43″W / 37.07917°N 118.47861°W |
| Length | .25 mi (0.40 km) |
| Terminus | Talus |
| Status | Retreating |
The Norman Clyde Glacier is a small but important glacier located high in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. Glaciers are like very slow-moving rivers made of ice. They form when snow falls year after year and gets packed down into thick, solid ice. This glacier is found in a special protected area called the John Muir Wilderness, which is part of the Inyo National Forest in Inyo County, California.
Where is Norman Clyde Glacier?
This glacier is nestled in the eastern part of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It sits northwest of a tall mountain peak known as Norman Clyde Peak. Both the glacier and the peak are named after a famous California mountaineer, Norman Clyde, who explored these mountains a long time ago.
How Big is This Glacier?
The Norman Clyde Glacier is considered a small glacier. It's about .25 mi (0.40 km) long. Even though it's not huge, it's a valuable part of the mountain environment. Just a short distance away, less than .25 mi (0.40 km) to the southeast, there's a larger glacier called the Middle Palisade Glacier. A small ridge of rock separates these two icy neighbors.
What is Happening to the Glacier?
Like many glaciers around the world, the Norman Clyde Glacier is currently "retreating." This means it is slowly shrinking and melting back. Scientists study glaciers like this one to understand how our planet's climate is changing over time. The melting ice from glaciers contributes to streams and rivers, which are important for plants, animals, and people living downstream.
