Sholes Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sholes Glacier |
|
|---|---|
 Sholes Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
|
|
| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Coordinates | 48°48′46″N 121°46′22″W / 48.81278°N 121.77278°W |
| Length | .65 mi (1.05 km) |
| Terminus | Moraine/talus |
| Status | Retreating |
Sholes Glacier is a large river of ice found on the northeast side of Mount Baker. Mount Baker is a big volcano in the North Cascades mountains of Washington state, USA. This glacier is special because it shows us how much the Earth's climate can change.
Contents
Sholes Glacier: A Changing Ice River
Where is Sholes Glacier?
Sholes Glacier sits high up on the slopes of Mount Baker. This mountain is part of the North Cascades mountain range. You can find it in Whatcom County, which is in the state of Washington in the USA. The glacier rests on the north side of a rocky ridge called The Portals.
How Sholes Glacier Changes Over Time
Glaciers like Sholes Glacier are always moving, but their size can change a lot over time. This happens because of changes in temperature and how much snow falls.
From 1850 to 1950, Sholes Glacier got much smaller. It melted back about 3,838 ft (1,170 m), which is more than half a mile!
Then, from 1950 to 1979, the weather became cooler and wetter. This helped the glacier grow a little bit. It moved forward by about 187 ft (57 m).
However, since 1980, the glacier has been shrinking again. Between 1980 and 2006, it melted back another 278 ft (85 m). These changes show how sensitive glaciers are to our changing climate.
Who Was Charles H. Sholes?
Sholes Glacier is named after a person called Charles H. Sholes. He was an important leader of a group called the Mazamas in the early 1900s. The Mazamas are an outdoor club focused on mountaineering and exploring mountains. Naming the glacier after him was a way to honor his work and his connection to the mountains.
