Rainbow Glacier (Washington) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rainbow Glacier |
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 Rainbow Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Coordinates | 48°47′51″N 121°46′32″W / 48.79750°N 121.77556°W |
| Length | 2.5 mi (4.0 km) |
| Terminus | Icefall/cliffs/talus |
| Status | Retreating |
Rainbow Glacier is a large sheet of ice found on the side of Mount Baker. Mount Baker is a big mountain in the North Cascades range. This range is located in the U.S. state of Washington. Glaciers are like very slow-moving rivers of ice. They form when snow piles up over many years and turns into ice.
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What is Rainbow Glacier?
Rainbow Glacier is a beautiful glacier located on the northeast side of Mount Baker. This mountain is part of the North Cascades mountain range. The glacier is found in Whatcom County, Washington in the USA. It is a "mountain glacier," meaning it flows down a mountain valley.
Where Does Rainbow Glacier Flow?
Rainbow Glacier flows down to about 4,500 feet (1,370 meters) above sea level. This is north of an area called Lava Divide. In the middle of its path, Rainbow Glacier connects to other glaciers. It joins Park Glacier to its south. It also connects with Mazama Glacier to the west. The end of the glacier, called its terminus, is made of icefalls, cliffs, and loose rocks (talus).
How Does Rainbow Glacier Change Over Time?
Glaciers are always moving, but they can also grow or shrink. This is called advancing (growing) or retreating (shrinking). Scientists study these changes to understand how the Earth's climate is changing.
Glacier Movement: Retreat and Advance
Rainbow Glacier has changed a lot over the years.
- Between 1850 and 1950, the glacier retreated a lot. It shrank back by about 4,494 feet (1,370 meters).
- Then, from 1950 to 1979, the weather became cooler and wetter. This helped the glacier grow. It advanced by about 1,679 feet (512 meters).
- But after 1980, the glacier started to retreat again. From 1980 to 2006, it shrank back by another 1,345 feet (410 meters).
These changes show how sensitive glaciers are to changes in temperature and rainfall.
