Stanton Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stanton Glacier |
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Great Northern Mountain and Stanton Glacier (2009)
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 Stanton Glacier
Location in Montana
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| Type | Cirque glacier |
| Location | Flathead County, Montana, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 48°20′13″N 113°46′29″W / 48.33694°N 113.77472°W |
| Length | .20 miles (0.32 km) |
| Status | Retreating |
Stanton Glacier is a cool natural ice formation found in the Flathead National Forest in Montana, a state in the western U.S.. It's a type of glacier called a cirque glacier, which means it sits in a bowl-shaped hollow on the side of a mountain. This glacier is important because scientists are watching it closely to understand how glaciers are changing.
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What is Stanton Glacier?
Stanton Glacier is a large body of ice that moves very slowly. It is located in a special bowl-shaped area called a cirque. This cirque is on the northeast side of a tall mountain named Great Northern Mountain. This mountain stands about 8,705 feet (2,653 meters) high.
Where is Stanton Glacier Located?
You can find Stanton Glacier in the beautiful Flathead National Forest in Montana. It's about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) northwest of another glacier called Grant Glacier. The area around it is full of amazing nature and wildlife.
Why is Stanton Glacier Important?
Stanton Glacier is one of several glaciers that scientists are studying. The U.S. Geological Survey has a special program called the Glacier Monitoring Research program. They keep an eye on glaciers like Stanton Glacier.
How Scientists Study Glaciers
Scientists want to know how much ice glaciers are gaining or losing each year. This is called their "mass balance." If a glacier loses more ice than it gains, it means it is shrinking. This research helps us understand how our planet's climate is changing. Stanton Glacier is currently "retreating," which means it is getting smaller.
Glaciers and Climate Change
Glaciers are like giant frozen rivers that can tell us a lot about the Earth's climate. When glaciers shrink, it can be a sign that temperatures are getting warmer. By watching Stanton Glacier and others, scientists can learn more about these important changes. This helps us understand what might happen to our environment in the future.
