Kennedy Glacier (Washington)

Kennedy Glacier
Kennedy Glacier and Kennedy Peak (left)
Map showing the location of Kennedy Glacier
Map showing the location of Kennedy Glacier
Kennedy Glacier
TypeMountain glacier
LocationGlacier Peak, Snohomish County, Washington, USA
Coordinates48°07′30″N 121°07′22″W / 48.12500°N 121.12278°W / 48.12500; -121.12278[1]
Length1.5 mi (2.4 km)
TerminusIcefall
StatusRetreating

Kennedy Glacier is located on northwest slopes of Glacier Peak in the U.S. state of Washington.[2] As is true with all the glaciers found on Glacier Peak, Kennedy Glacier is retreating.[3] During the Little Ice Age, Kennedy Glacier extended down to an altitude of 4,314 ft (1,315 m) and was connected to Scimitar Glacier to the south. From about 1850 to 1952, the glacier lost 5,577 ft (1,700 m) of its length. During a cooler and wetter period from 1952 to 1984, Kennedy Glacier advanced 1,050 ft (320 m) but between 1984 and 2005, the glacier again retreated, losing 1,450 ft (440 m) of its length.[4]

  1. ^ "Kennedy Glacier". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2012-11-24.
  2. ^ Gamma Peak, WA (Map). TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Retrieved 2012-11-24.
  3. ^ Monroe, James; Reed Wicander (2011). The Changing Earth: Exploring Geology and Evolution. Cengage Learning. p. 349. ISBN 9780840062086. Retrieved 2012-11-24.
  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 2012-11-24.