North Guardian Glacier

North Guardian Glacier
Left to right, Cool, Chocolate, North Guardian and Dusty Glaciers on the east slopes of Glacier Peak
Map showing the location of North Guardian Glacier
Map showing the location of North Guardian Glacier
North Guardian Glacier
TypeMountain glacier
LocationGlacier Peak, Snohomish County, Washington, USA
Coordinates48°06′03″N 121°05′58″W / 48.10083°N 121.09944°W / 48.10083; -121.09944[1]
Length1 mi (1.6 km)
TerminusBarren rock
StatusRetreating

North Guardian Glacier is located on east slopes of Glacier Peak in the U.S. state of Washington.[2] The glacier descends from 8,600 ft (2,600 m) to 6,430 ft (1,960 m) and is partially connected to Chocolate Glacier which lies to its south. As is true with all the glaciers found on Glacier Peak, North Guardian Glacier is retreating.[3] North Guardian Glacier retreated approximately 1,500 m (4,900 ft) between 1850 and 1946, however during a cooler and wetter period from about 1950 to 1979, the glacier advanced modestly. Since then North Guardian Glacier resumed retreating and thinning and by 2005 the glacier had returned to its minimum length as recorded in 1946.[4]

  1. ^ "North Guardian 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.