Pyramid Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pyramid Glacier |
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | Mount Rainier, Pierce County, Washington, USA |
| Coordinates | 46°49′23″N 121°47′26″W / 46.82306°N 121.79056°W |
| Area | 0.2 square miles (0.5 km2), 1983 |
The Pyramid Glacier is a group of small glaciers and snowfields found on the side of Mount Rainier in Washington, USA. It's not just one big ice sheet, but several smaller ones scattered across the mountain. These icy areas are an important part of Mount Rainier's natural landscape.
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Exploring Pyramid Glacier
Where is Pyramid Glacier?
The Pyramid Glacier is located on the south-southwestern side of Mount Rainier. Mount Rainier is a very tall volcano in Pierce County, Washington. The glacier sits high up on the mountain, making it a chilly place even in summer!
How Big is Pyramid Glacier?
This group of glaciers covers about 0.2 square miles (0.5 km2) of land. That's like covering more than 100 football fields with ice! It holds a huge amount of ice, about 400 million cubic feet (11 million cubic meters).
High Up on the Mountain
The Pyramid Glacier is found at very high elevations. It stretches from about 7,000 feet (2,100 m) up to 9,000 ft (2,700 m) on Mount Rainier. This high altitude means the temperatures stay cold enough for ice to form and last.
Nearby Glaciers and Features
The Pyramid Glacier is surrounded by other interesting parts of Mount Rainier. To its west, a natural ridge called the Success Divide separates it from the South Tahoma Glacier. On its eastern side, you'll find the Success Glacier and the lower part of the Kautz Glacier. All these glaciers are connected to the same mountain.
Where the Meltwater Goes
As the ice from the Pyramid Glacier melts, the water flows downhill. This meltwater eventually drains into the Nisqually River. Rivers like the Nisqually are often fed by melting glaciers, especially in mountain regions.
