Quien Sabe Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Quien Sabe Glacier |
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Boston Peak above the Quien Sabe Glacier
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 Quien Sabe Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | North Cascades National Park, Skagit County, Washington, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 48°29′41″N 121°02′42″W / 48.49472°N 121.04500°W |
| Length | .60 mi (0.97 km) |
| Terminus | Icefall/barren rock |
| Status | Retreating |
The Quien Sabe Glacier is a large river of ice found in the mountains. It is located in the beautiful North Cascades National Park in the state of Washington, U.S.. This glacier sits on the western side of a tall mountain called Boston Peak.
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What is the Quien Sabe Glacier?
A glacier is like a very slow-moving river made of ice. The Quien Sabe Glacier is a type of mountain glacier. It forms high up in the mountains where snow falls and builds up over many years. This snow gets packed down and turns into ice.
Where is it Located?
The Quien Sabe Glacier is nestled in the North Cascades National Park. This park is famous for its rugged mountains and many glaciers. The glacier is specifically on the west side of Boston Peak. This area is part of Skagit County, Washington.
How Big is the Glacier?
The Quien Sabe Glacier is about .60 mi (0.97 km) long. That's a bit more than half a mile! At its widest point, where it ends, it measures about .70 mi (1.13 km) across. The glacier flows downhill from a high point of about 8,400 ft (2,600 m) to a lower point of about 7,200 ft (2,200 m).
What are Crevasses?
As glaciers move, they can crack and form deep splits in the ice. These cracks are called crevasses. You can often see them on the surface of glaciers like the Quien Sabe Glacier. They show that the ice is moving and changing.
Neighboring Glaciers
The Quien Sabe Glacier is not alone. It is separated by rocky ridges from other glaciers nearby. To the south, you can find the Sahale Glacier. To the north, there is the much larger Boston Glacier. These glaciers are all part of the amazing ice landscape of the North Cascades.
What is Happening to the Glacier?
Like many glaciers around the world, the Quien Sabe Glacier is currently retreating. This means it is getting smaller over time. The ice at its end, called the terminus, is melting and pulling back. This often leaves behind bare rock where the glacier used to be.
