Thunderbird Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thunderbird Glacier |
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 Thunderbird Glacier
Location in Montana
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | Glacier National Park, Glacier County, Montana, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 48°56′03″N 114°02′23″W / 48.93417°N 114.03972°W |
| Area | Approximately 58 acres (0.23 km2) in total including numerous ice patches |
| Terminus | Talus |
| Status | Retreating |
Thunderbird Glacier is a mountain glacier found in Glacier National Park. This park is located in the state of Montana in the U.S.. A glacier is a huge, slow-moving river of ice. Thunderbird Glacier is an important part of the park's natural beauty.
Exploring Thunderbird Glacier
Thunderbird Glacier is located in a special place within Glacier National Park. It sits on the eastern side of the Continental Divide. This divide is like a giant ridge that separates rivers flowing to the Atlantic Ocean from those flowing to the Pacific Ocean.
Where to Find It
The glacier is nestled below a peak called Thunderbird Mountain. It is quite high up, at an average elevation of about 8,000 feet (2,400 m) above sea level. Imagine standing on a mountain and looking down at this huge ice formation!
How Big Is It?
In 2005, Thunderbird Glacier was made up of many smaller patches of ice. Together, these patches covered an area of about 58 acres (0.23 km2). To give you an idea, that's roughly the size of 44 football fields!
Is It Shrinking?
Unfortunately, Thunderbird Glacier is getting smaller. Scientists have been watching it closely. In 2005, it was over 33 percent smaller than it was in 1966. This means a big part of the glacier has melted away over the years. This process is called "retreating," and it's happening to many glaciers around the world.
