South Mowich Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids South Mowich Glacier |
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | Mount Rainier, Pierce County, Washington, USA |
| Coordinates | 46°51′21″N 121°48′51″W / 46.85583°N 121.81417°W |
| Area | 1.4 square miles (3.6 km2), 1983 |
The South Mowich Glacier is a large river of ice. It is found on the western side of Mount Rainier in Washington. This glacier covers about 1.4 square miles (3.6 square kilometers). It holds a huge amount of ice, enough to fill 4.5 billion cubic feet!
Contents
Exploring the South Mowich Glacier
This section will help you learn more about the South Mowich Glacier. We will look at where it starts and how it moves.
Where Does the Glacier Begin?
The South Mowich Glacier starts very high up. It begins on the tall cliffs above a place called Sunset Amphitheater. This is over 12,000 feet (3,658 meters) high! From there, the glacier flows west down the side of Mount Rainier.
How Does the Glacier Connect to Others?
The South Mowich Glacier is not alone. It connects to another big glacier called the Tahoma Glacier. This connection happens near St. Andrews Rock. This spot is about 11,000 feet (3,353 meters) high. The South Mowich Glacier also meets the Puyallup Glacier. They join together at about 8,800 feet (2,682 meters).
The Glacier's Journey Down the Mountain
As the glacier moves, it goes through some exciting changes.
- Icefall: After leaving the Sunset Amphitheater, the glacier drops sharply. This creates an icefall. It's like a frozen waterfall! Here, the ice plunges below 10,000 feet (3,048 meters).
- Changing Direction: As the glacier slides down, it slowly turns. By the time it meets the Puyallup Glacier, it is flowing northwest.
- Rocky Sections: Near a place called Jeanette Heights, the glacier becomes very rocky. This is different from the smoother ice higher up.
Where Does the Glacier End?
Near its end, the South Mowich Glacier splits into two parts.
- Northern Arm: One part, the shorter northern arm, ends at about 5,500 feet (1,676 meters).
- Southern Arm: The longer, southern arm ends a bit lower. It stops near a group of pine trees at about 5,100 feet (1,554 meters).
What Happens to the Meltwater?
As the glacier melts, its water flows into the South Mowich River. This river then joins with the larger Puyallup River. This water eventually makes its way to the Pacific Ocean.
