Tokositna Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tokositna Glacier |
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Aerial view looking south
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| Type | Valley glacier |
| Location | Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 62°50′07″N 150°51′36″W / 62.83528°N 150.86000°W |
| Length | 25 miles (40 km) |
The Tokositna Glacier is a huge river of ice found in the amazing Alaska Range mountains. It's located inside Denali National Park and Preserve in the U.S. state of Alaska. Imagine a giant, slow-moving ice river – that's a glacier! The Tokositna Glacier is a very important part of this wild and beautiful area.
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Exploring Tokositna Glacier
This incredible glacier starts high up on the east side of a tall mountain called Mount Hunter. It begins with two main "arms" or branches. These icy arms flow towards the east until they meet up. After joining, the glacier then turns and flows south.
Where is it Located?
The Tokositna Glacier is nestled in the heart of the Alaska Range. This is a huge mountain chain in Alaska, known for its towering peaks and vast wilderness. Being part of Denali National Park and Preserve means it's in a protected area. This park is famous for its wildlife and stunning natural beauty.
How Big is it?
The Tokositna Glacier is quite long! It stretches for about 25 miles (which is about 40 kilometers). That's like traveling the distance of many towns! This makes it one of the significant glaciers in the region. It's also the starting point for the Tokositna River, which flows out from the melting ice.
Different Names for the Glacier
Sometimes, you might hear the Tokositna Glacier called by slightly different names. These include Tokasitna Glacier, Tokichitna Glacier, and Tuqashitnu Li'a. These different spellings or names often come from how people have heard or written down the original name over time.
Watching the Glacier Change
Scientists from the National Park Service keep a close eye on the Tokositna Glacier. They measure its thickness regularly to see how it's changing. Since the 1990s, they've noticed that the glacier has been getting thinner.
Why Glaciers Thin
When glaciers get thinner, it usually means they are melting faster than new snow and ice can build up. This is an important topic for scientists who study Earth's climate. By watching glaciers like Tokositna, we can learn more about how our planet is changing. It helps us understand the natural world around us.
