White Glacier (Mount Tom) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White Glacier |
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White Glacier on Mount Tom
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 White Glacier
Location in Washington (state)
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| Type | Mountain glacier |
| Coordinates | 47°46′43″N 123°40′28″W / 47.77861°N 123.67444°W |
| Length | 1.5 mi (2.4 km) |
| Terminus | Icefall and Talus |
White Glacier is a cool natural ice formation. It is found on the northern side of Mount Tom. This mountain is part of the amazing Olympic Mountains range. The glacier is also inside Olympic National Park. This park is in the state of Washington, in the USA.
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Discovering White Glacier
White Glacier is a type of mountain glacier. This means it forms high up in the mountains. It is a large body of ice that moves slowly. Glaciers are like very slow-moving rivers of ice. They are formed over many years as snow piles up and gets compressed.
Where is White Glacier Located?
The main part of White Glacier starts very high up. It begins at about 7,000 feet (2,134 meters) and 6,400 feet (1,951 meters). This starting point is in a bowl-shaped area called a cirque. A cirque is like a natural armchair carved into the mountain by ice. This cirque is just below the very top of Mount Tom.
The Glacier's Flow
The western side of White Glacier is a bit separate. It has some small rocky ridges that divide it. This part flows straight north. The main part of the glacier also flows north. Its lowest point, called the glacier toe, reaches about 4,800 feet (1,463 meters). From there, the toe turns northeast. It ends at about 4,400 feet (1,341 meters). This ending point is called the terminus.
White Glacier's Neighbors
Steep rocky ridges are found on the eastern side of White Glacier. These ridges separate it from another famous glacier. That glacier is the Blue Glacier. Blue Glacier is located on the nearby Mount Olympus. It is interesting how these two large ice bodies are so close yet separated by rock.
