North Guardian Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Guardian Glacier |
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Left to right, Cool, Chocolate, North Guardian and Dusty Glaciers on the east slopes of Glacier Peak
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 North Guardian Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Coordinates | 48°06′03″N 121°05′58″W / 48.10083°N 121.09944°W |
| Length | 1 mi (1.6 km) |
| Terminus | Barren rock |
| Status | Retreating |
North Guardian Glacier is a large body of ice located on the eastern slopes of Glacier Peak. This mountain is found in the state of Washington, in the USA. Like many glaciers around the world, North Guardian Glacier is currently getting smaller.
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North Guardian Glacier: A Changing Ice Field
North Guardian Glacier is a type of mountain glacier. It stretches for about 1 mi (1.6 km) down the side of Glacier Peak. The glacier starts at a high elevation of 8,600 ft (2,600 m). It then flows down to about 6,430 ft (1,960 m).
Where Is This Glacier Located?
This glacier is nestled on the eastern side of Glacier Peak. Glacier Peak is a tall volcano in the Cascade Range. It is located in Snohomish County, Washington. The glacier is also partly connected to another glacier called Chocolate Glacier. Chocolate Glacier lies just to its south.
How Glaciers Change Over Time
Glaciers are not always the same size. They can grow bigger or shrink smaller. This happens because of changes in weather. When it is colder and snows a lot, glaciers can grow. This is called advancing. When it gets warmer, glaciers melt faster. This makes them shrink, which is called retreating.
The Past and Present of North Guardian
North Guardian Glacier has changed a lot over the years. Between 1850 and 1946, the glacier retreated quite a bit. It shrank by about 1,500 m (4,900 ft).
However, things changed for a while. From about 1950 to 1979, the weather was cooler and wetter. During this time, the glacier actually grew a little. It advanced modestly, meaning it moved forward a bit.
But since 1979, the glacier has started shrinking again. It has been retreating and getting thinner. By 2005, North Guardian Glacier was as short as it was in 1946. This shows how much glaciers are affected by our changing climate.
