Queets Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Queets Glacier |
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Queets Glacier on Mount Queets
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 Queets Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Coordinates | 47°46′02″N 123°36′03″W / 47.76722°N 123.60083°W |
| Length | .60 mi (0.97 km) |
| Terminus | Icefall |
| Status | Retreating |
Queets Glacier is a cool, icy river of ice found high up in the Olympic Mountains in Olympic National Park, Washington. It's like a giant, slow-moving ice block that helps start a big river! This glacier is named after Mount Queets, a tall mountain where it lives.
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Where is Queets Glacier Located?
Queets Glacier is located in the Olympic Mountains in Olympic National Park. This park is in the U.S. state of Washington. The glacier sits on the northwest side of Mount Queets.
High Up in the Mountains
The glacier is found at a very high elevation, about 5,564 feet (1,696 meters) above sea level. From there, it slowly moves downhill towards the northwest. It's surrounded by two sharp, knife-like ridges called arêtes. These ridges were carved out by the glacier itself over many, many years.
The Start of a River
The ice of Queets Glacier reaches as low as 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) before it ends. At this point, the melting ice becomes the very beginning, or "headwaters," of the Queets River. This means the glacier is an important source of water for the river!
How Big is Queets Glacier?
Queets Glacier is about 0.60 miles (0.97 kilometers) long. While it might not be the biggest glacier in the world, it's a significant feature of the Olympic Mountains.
What is Happening to Queets Glacier?
Like many glaciers around the world, Queets Glacier is currently "retreating." This means it is getting smaller and shrinking back. Scientists study glaciers like Queets Glacier to understand how our planet's climate is changing.
Images for kids
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Queets Glacier on Mount Queets
