Vista Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vista Glacier |
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 Vista Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Coordinates | 48°08′23″N 121°06′44″W / 48.13972°N 121.11222°W |
| Length | .90 mi (1.45 km) |
| Terminus | Talus |
| Status | Retreating |
Vista Glacier is a cool glacier found on the northern side of a big mountain called Glacier Peak. This mountain is located in the state of Washington, in the USA. Like many glaciers around the world, Vista Glacier is getting smaller. Scientists call this "retreating."
Where is Vista Glacier Located?
Vista Glacier sits high up on the north slopes of Glacier Peak. Glacier Peak is a large volcano in the Cascade Range mountains. It is found in Snohomish County, Washington.
How Has Vista Glacier Changed Over Time?
All the glaciers on Glacier Peak are currently shrinking. This means they are getting smaller and moving higher up the mountain.
During a time called the Little Ice Age, Vista Glacier was much bigger. The Little Ice Age was a period from about the 1300s to the mid-1800s. During this time, many parts of the world were colder than they are today. Vista Glacier reached down to an altitude of 4,412 ft (1,345 m). It was even connected to another glacier nearby, called Ermine Glacier.
After the Little Ice Age ended, Vista Glacier started to shrink. From the mid-1800s to the mid-1950s, it generally moved upslope. Then, for a short time, from the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s, the glacier grew a bit. This happened because the weather was cooler and wetter.
However, since the mid-1970s, Vista Glacier has been shrinking again. By 1997, it was as small as it was in 1946. The process of the glacier getting smaller is still happening today.
