O'Higgins Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids O'Higgins Glacier |
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| Location | Chile |
| Coordinates | 48°54′S 73°15′W / 48.900°S 73.250°W |
| Area | 820 km2 (320 sq mi) |
| Length | 45 km (28 mi) |
| Terminus | Glacial lake |
| Status | Retreating |
The O'Higgins Glacier is a huge river of ice found in Bernardo O'Higgins National Park in Chile. It is one of the main glaciers that make up the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. This amazing glacier flows into a large body of water called O'Higgins Lake.
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What is O'Higgins Glacier?
The O'Higgins Glacier is a massive sheet of ice. It is part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, which is one of the largest ice masses outside of the North and South Poles. Imagine a giant, slow-moving river made entirely of ice!
Where is it Located?
This impressive glacier is located in the southern part of Chile. It is found within the beautiful Bernardo O'Higgins National Park. The glacier gets its name from the nearby O'Higgins Lake, which it flows into.
How Does a Glacier Form and Move?
Glaciers form when snow falls and builds up over many years. The weight of the new snow presses down on the old snow. This pressure turns the snow into ice. The top part of the O'Higgins Glacier, where snow collects, is called its accumulation zone. This zone is even connected to the active Lautaro volcano.
Once enough ice builds up, gravity starts to pull it downhill. This makes the glacier slowly move, like a very thick, frozen river. The main part of the O'Higgins Glacier is on a high, flat area of ice called an icefield plateau. It moves towards the east.
The Glacier's End and Its Status
The end of a glacier is called its terminus. For the O'Higgins Glacier, its terminus is about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) wide. Here, the ice breaks off into O'Higgins Lake, forming icebergs.
Sadly, the O'Higgins Glacier is currently retreating. This means it is getting smaller over time. Scientists study glaciers like O'Higgins to understand how our planet's climate is changing.
See Also
In Spanish: Glaciar O'Higgins para niños
- Pío XI Glacier
- List of glaciers
