Chocolate Glacier

Chocolate Glacier
Left to right, Cool, Chocolate, North Guardian and Dusty Glaciers on the east slopes of Glacier Peak
Map showing the location of Chocolate Glacier
Map showing the location of Chocolate Glacier
Chocolate Glacier
TypeMountain glacier
LocationGlacier Peak, Snohomish County, Washington, USA
Coordinates48°07′01″N 121°05′04″W / 48.11694°N 121.08444°W / 48.11694; -121.08444[1]
Length1.9 mi (3.1 km)
TerminusTalus
StatusRetreating

Chocolate Glacier is located on east slopes of Glacier Peak in the U.S. state of Washington.[2] The glacier descends from 10,400 ft (3,200 m) to 5,900 ft (1,800 m) and is partially connected to Cool Glacier which lies to its south just below the summit of Glacier Peak. As is true with all the glaciers found on Glacier Peak, Chocolate Glacier is retreating.[3] Chocolate Glacier retreated approximately 1,380 m (4,530 ft) between 1906 and 1946, however during a cooler and wetter period from about 1950 to 1979, the glacier advanced 450 m (1,480 ft). Chocolate Glacier has resumed retreating since and has given back 350 m (1,150 ft), nearing its previously recorded minimal length.[4] The current terminus at 1800 m is still the lowest of the east side glacier. Chocolate Glacier remains heavily crevassed and active to 1900 m. The lowest 300 m of the glacier are stagnant. [5]

The Chocolate Glacier was given its name in 1906 by mountaineer Claude Ewing Rusk, who commented on the chocolate colored water flowing from the glacier terminus.[6]

  1. ^ "Chocolate Glacier". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  2. ^ Glacier Peak East, WA (Map). TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  3. ^ Monroe, James; Reed Wicander (2011). The Changing Earth: Exploring Geology and Evolution. Cengage Learning. p. 349. ISBN 9780840062086. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  4. ^ Pelto, Mauri (2007). "Glacier Peak A Century Of Change". North Cascade Glacier Climate Project. Nichols College. Archived from the original on 2012-03-19. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
  5. ^ Pelto, Mauri S. "Glacier Peak A Century Of Change". NORTH CASCADE GLACIER CLIMATE PROJECT. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  6. ^ Majors, Harry M. (1975). Exploring Washington. Van Winkle Publishing Co. p. 34. ISBN 978-0-918664-00-6.