Sacagawea Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sacagawea Glacier |
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Sacagawea Glacier below Mount Sacagawea at right
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 Sacagawea Glacier
Location in Wyoming
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Coordinates | 43°08′37″N 109°36′42″W / 43.14361°N 109.61167°W |
| Length | 1.25 mi (2.01 km) |
| Terminus | Moraine |
| Status | Retreating |
Sacagawea Glacier is a cool natural ice formation found in the Wind River Range in Wyoming, USA. It's located on the eastern side of the Continental Divide of the Americas, which is like a big line that separates where water flows in North America. This glacier is part of the Fitzpatrick Wilderness within the Shoshone National Forest. It's also one of the biggest groups of glaciers you can find in the American Rocky Mountains.
The Sacagawea Glacier slowly moves towards the east. It starts high up near the top of Mount Sacagawea in a bowl-shaped area called a cirque. At the end of the glacier, you can see a large pile of rocks and dirt called a moraine. There's also a small proglacial lake there, which is a lake formed by the melting ice.
Contents
What is a Glacier?
A glacier is a huge, slow-moving river of ice. It forms over many years as snow falls and gets packed down. Each new layer of snow squishes the layers below it. This pressure turns the snow into solid ice. Glaciers are important because they store a lot of the world's fresh water. They also help shape the land around them.
How Do Glaciers Form?
Glaciers need special conditions to form. First, there must be enough snowfall each winter. Second, the summer temperatures must be cool enough. This means not all the snow from winter melts away. Over time, these layers of snow build up. The weight of the new snow squeezes the old snow. This process changes the snow into a dense, icy material called firn. Eventually, the firn becomes glacial ice.
Types of Glaciers
There are different kinds of glaciers. Sacagawea Glacier is a mountain glacier, also known as an alpine glacier. These glaciers form in high mountain areas. They flow down valleys, carving out the landscape as they move. Other types include ice sheets, which are huge, continent-sized glaciers like those in Greenland and Antarctica.
Where is Sacagawea Glacier Located?
Sacagawea Glacier is in a wild and beautiful part of Wyoming. It's specifically in Fremont County, Wyoming. This area is known for its rugged mountains and stunning natural beauty. The glacier is part of the Shoshone National Forest, which is one of the oldest national forests in the United States.
The Wind River Range
The Wind River Range is a large mountain range in Wyoming. It's famous for its tall peaks, deep valleys, and many glaciers. It's a popular spot for hiking, climbing, and exploring the wilderness. The range is also home to many different kinds of wildlife.
The Continental Divide
The Continental Divide of the Americas is a very important geographical feature. It's a high ridge that runs through North and South America. On one side, rivers and streams flow towards the Atlantic Ocean. On the other side, they flow towards the Pacific Ocean. Sacagawea Glacier is on the eastern side, meaning its meltwater eventually flows towards the Atlantic.
Features of Sacagawea Glacier
This glacier has some interesting features that show how it interacts with the land.
The Cirque
A cirque is a natural, bowl-shaped hollow. It's often found high up in mountains. Glaciers create these cirques as they slowly grind away at the rock. The Sacagawea Glacier starts in a cirque on the northeast side of Mount Sacagawea. This sheltered spot helps protect the ice from the sun.
Moraines and Proglacial Lakes
As a glacier moves, it acts like a giant bulldozer. It picks up rocks, dirt, and other debris. When the glacier melts or stops moving, it leaves behind these piles of material. These piles are called moraines. Sacagawea Glacier has a large moraine at its end.
Sometimes, meltwater from a glacier gets trapped behind a moraine. This forms a proglacial lake. Sacagawea Glacier has a small proglacial lake at its eastern end. These lakes are often very cold and can be a beautiful blue or green color due to tiny rock particles in the water.
Is Sacagawea Glacier Changing?
Like many glaciers around the world, Sacagawea Glacier is currently retreating. This means it is getting smaller. Glaciers retreat when they melt faster than new snow can build up. Scientists study glaciers like Sacagawea to understand how Earth's climate is changing.
