North Klawatti Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Klawatti Glacier |
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North Klawatti Glacier
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 North Klawatti Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
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| Type | Valley glacier |
| Location | North Cascades National Park, Skagit County, Washington, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 48°33′55″N 121°04′39″W / 48.56528°N 121.07750°W |
| Length | 1.4 mi (2.3 km) |
| Terminus | Icefall |
| Status | Retreating |
The North Klawatti Glacier is a fascinating ice formation located in the North Cascades National Park in Washington, U.S. It's a type of valley glacier, which means it flows down a valley like a very slow-moving river of ice. This glacier is found in a bowl-shaped area called a cirque, just east of Austera Peak. It stretches for about 1.4 miles (2.3 km) and is an important part of the park's icy landscape.
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Discovering the North Klawatti Glacier
The North Klawatti Glacier is a significant natural feature within the North Cascades National Park. This park is known for its rugged mountains and many glaciers. The glacier is located in Skagit County, Washington, a beautiful area in the state of Washington.
Where is the North Klawatti Glacier Located?
This glacier sits in a high mountain basin, or cirque, which is like a giant natural armchair carved by ice. It's found to the east of Austera Peak, a prominent mountain in the North Cascades. The glacier's location makes it a key part of the park's amazing scenery.
How Big is the North Klawatti Glacier?
The North Klawatti Glacier is quite large. It measures about 1.4 miles (2.3 km) in length. At its widest point, it spreads out to about 0.40 miles (0.64 km) across. The glacier flows downhill from an elevation of about 7,800 feet (2,400 m) to 6,000 feet (1,800 m). At its lower end, it stops above Klawatti Lake.
What is an Arête?
An interesting feature near the North Klawatti Glacier is an arête. An arête is a sharp, jagged ridge of rock. It's formed when two glaciers erode, or wear away, rock on opposite sides of a mountain. This arête acts like a natural wall, separating the North Klawatti Glacier from another glacier called Klawatti Glacier to its south.
Studying the North Klawatti Glacier
Scientists are very interested in the North Klawatti Glacier. It was chosen as one of four glaciers for special research. This research focuses on something called glacier mass balance.
What is Glacier Mass Balance?
Glacier mass balance is a way for scientists to measure if a glacier is growing, shrinking, or staying the same size. They look at how much snow and ice the glacier gains each year (like from snowfall) and how much it loses (like from melting or ice breaking off). By studying this, scientists can understand how glaciers are changing over time, especially with changes in climate. The North Klawatti Glacier is currently in a state of "retreating," which means it is getting smaller.
