Tustumena Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tustumena Glacier |
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Tustemena Glacier, and its outflow into Tustemena Lake
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 59°59′47″N 150°21′34″W / 59.99639°N 150.35944°W |
| Length | 20 miles (32 km) |
| Terminus | Glacial lake |
| Status | Retreating |
The Tustumena Glacier is a huge river of ice found on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. It starts high up in the Harding Icefield. This glacier flows west for about 20 miles (32 kilometers). It ends about 5 miles (8 kilometers) before it reaches Tustumena Lake.
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Tustumena Glacier: A Giant River of Ice
A glacier is like a very slow-moving river made of ice. It forms when snow piles up over many years. This snow gets packed down and turns into ice. Glaciers move because of gravity, slowly sliding downhill.
Where is Tustumena Glacier Located?
The Tustumena Glacier is in a beautiful part of Alaska. It's on the Kenai Peninsula, which is a large piece of land sticking out into the ocean. The glacier is part of the huge Harding Icefield. This icefield is a vast area of ice that covers mountains.
Why is the Glacier Shrinking?
The Tustumena Glacier is currently getting smaller. Scientists call this "retreating." This means the end of the glacier is moving backward. One main reason for this is global warming. Global warming is the long-term heating of Earth's climate system. This is caused by human activities, especially burning fossil fuels. As the Earth gets warmer, glaciers melt faster than new snow can replace them.
Arctic Lake: A Unique Lake
Next to the Tustumena Glacier is a small lake called Arctic Lake. This lake has a special connection to the glacier. Its water flows out from underneath the ice. Arctic Lake sometimes fills up with water. Then, as the glacier moves, the lake can drain away. When it drains, it leaves large pieces of ice, called icebergs, stuck in the sand.
Did You Know?
The Alaska Marine Highway has a ferry named M/V Tustumena. This ferry was named after the Tustumena Glacier. It helps people travel between different towns in Alaska by sea.
