Ptarmigan Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ptarmigan Glacier |
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 Ptarmigan Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Coordinates | 48°08′08″N 121°07′38″W / 48.13556°N 121.12722°W |
| Length | .60 mi (0.97 km) |
| Terminus | Talus |
| Status | Retreating |
The Ptarmigan Glacier is a cool ice formation found on the north side of Glacier Peak. This peak is a large volcano located in the state of Washington in the USA. Like many glaciers around the world, Ptarmigan Glacier is getting smaller over time.
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What is Ptarmigan Glacier?
A glacier is a huge river of ice that moves very slowly. Ptarmigan Glacier is a type of mountain glacier. It is found high up on Glacier Peak. It is about .60 mi (0.97 km) long.
Where is Ptarmigan Glacier Located?
Ptarmigan Glacier is located in Snohomish County, Washington. This area is part of the Cascade Range mountains. It is a beautiful and wild place.
Why are Glaciers Important?
Glaciers are important for several reasons. They store a lot of fresh water. This water melts and flows into rivers and streams. It provides drinking water for people and animals. Glaciers also help us understand Earth's climate history.
How Do Glaciers Change?
Glaciers grow when more snow falls than melts. They shrink when more ice melts than snow falls. This process is called "retreating" when a glacier gets smaller. It is called "advancing" when it grows bigger.
The Little Ice Age and Ptarmigan Glacier
The Ptarmigan Glacier has changed a lot over time. It was much larger during a period called the Little Ice Age. This was a time when Earth was cooler than it is today.
What Was the Little Ice Age?
The Little Ice Age was a period of colder temperatures. It lasted from about the 1300s to the mid-1800s. During this time, many glaciers around the world grew bigger. They extended further down mountains.
Ptarmigan Glacier's Retreat
During the Little Ice Age, Ptarmigan Glacier reached down to about 4,444 ft (1,355 m) in elevation. Since the end of the Little Ice Age, the glacier has mostly retreated. This means it has gotten much smaller. There was a small time in the 1970s when it grew a little. But overall, it has continued to shrink significantly.
