Swiftcurrent Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Swiftcurrent Glacier |
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Swiftcurrent Glacier as seen from Swiftcurrent Pass in 2006
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 Swiftcurrent Glacier
Location in Montana
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| Type | Cirque glacier |
| Location | Glacier National Park, Glacier County, Montana, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 48°46′07″N 113°44′50″W / 48.76861°N 113.74722°W |
| Area | 55.233 acres (223,520 m2)in 2005 |
| Status | Retreating |
Swiftcurrent Glacier is a large ice mass found in Glacier National Park. This park is located in the state of Montana, in the U.S.. Glaciers are like very slow-moving rivers of ice.
Swiftcurrent Glacier is on the eastern side of a special mountain ridge. This ridge is called the Continental Divide. It separates rivers that flow to the Pacific Ocean from those that flow to the Atlantic Ocean. The specific part of the ridge where the glacier sits is a sharp, narrow peak known as the Garden Wall.
Why Swiftcurrent Glacier is Important
Scientists are watching Swiftcurrent Glacier closely. It is one of many glaciers being studied in Glacier National Park. They want to understand how the melting ice affects nearby rivers and streams. When glaciers melt, it changes how much water flows in these waterways.
How the Glacier is Changing
Most glaciers in Glacier National Park are shrinking. This is called glacial retreat. Swiftcurrent Glacier is also getting smaller. However, it has been retreating more slowly than some other glaciers in the park.
In 2005, Swiftcurrent Glacier covered an area of about 55 acres. This was 14 percent smaller than its size in 1966. Scientists continue to monitor its size and changes over time.
