Scimitar Glacier

Scimitar Glacier
Map showing the location of Scimitar Glacier
Map showing the location of Scimitar Glacier
Scimitar Glacier
TypeMountain glacier
LocationGlacier Peak, Snohomish County, Washington, USA
Coordinates48°06′58″N 121°07′45″W / 48.11611°N 121.12917°W / 48.11611; -121.12917[1]
Length1.4 mi (2.3 km)
TerminusIcefall/Talus
StatusRetreating

Scimitar Glacier is located on the west and northwest slopes of Glacier Peak in the U.S. state of Washington.[2] As is true with all the glaciers found on Glacier Peak, Scimitar Glacier is retreating.[3] During the Little Ice Age Scimitar Glacier was connected to Kennedy Glacier to the north. From about 1850 to 1946, the glacier retreated 5,250 ft (1,600 m), but advanced 1,738 ft (530 m) during a colder and wetter period lasting until about 1980. Scimitar Glacier has retreated since, but due to the thickness of the ice at the terminus, had not lost much of its length through the year 2005.[4]

  1. ^ "Scimitar Glacier". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  2. ^ Glacier Peak West, WA (Map). TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  3. ^ Monroe, James; Reed Wicander (2011). The Changing Earth: Exploring Geology and Evolution. Cengage Learning. p. 349. ISBN 9780840062086. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  4. ^ Pelto, Mauri (2007). "Glacier Peak A Century Of Change". North Cascade Glacier Climate Project. Nichols College. Retrieved 2012-11-25.