Waldo Glacier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Waldo Glacier |
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 Waldo Glacier
Location in Oregon
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Location | Cascade Range, Jefferson County, Oregon, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 44°39′46″N 121°47′46″W / 44.66278°N 121.79611°W |
| Length | .6 mi (0.97 km) |
| Terminus | Moraines/Talus |
| Status | Retreating |
Waldo Glacier is a cool ice river found in the state of Oregon, in the United States. It's located high up in the Cascade Range mountains, specifically on the side of a big volcano called Mount Jefferson. This glacier is like a giant, slow-moving river of ice!
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Discovering Waldo Glacier
Waldo Glacier is a type of mountain glacier. It sits on the south-southeast slopes of Mount Jefferson. This mountain is part of the Cascade Range, which stretches through much of western North America. Glaciers are important because they hold a lot of Earth's fresh water.
Where is Waldo Glacier?
You can find Waldo Glacier in Jefferson County, Oregon. It is high up in the Cascade Range. The glacier starts at an elevation of about 9,000 feet (2,743 meters). From there, it slowly moves down to about 7,500 feet (2,286 meters). This makes it one of the many glaciers found on the tall peaks of Oregon.
How Big is This Glacier?
Waldo Glacier is about 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) long. While that might not sound huge, it's a significant amount of ice! Glaciers are always changing. They grow when more snow falls than melts. They shrink when more ice melts than new snow adds.
Who Was John B. Waldo?
The glacier is named after John B. Waldo. He was an important person in Oregon's history. He was a judge and also helped protect natural areas. Another famous place, Waldo Lake, is also named after him. Naming natural features after people is a way to remember their contributions.
What is a Glacier?
A glacier is a large, thick mass of ice. It forms over many years from layers of snow that get packed down. This happens in places where snow doesn't completely melt in the summer. Over time, the snow turns into ice. The ice becomes so heavy that it starts to move very slowly, like a frozen river. Glaciers can carve out valleys and shape mountains.
Why is Waldo Glacier Changing?
The status of Waldo Glacier is "retreating." This means the glacier is getting smaller. It is melting faster than new snow can build it up. Many glaciers around the world are retreating. Scientists study these changes to understand more about Earth's climate.
