Wheeler Peak Glacier

Wheeler Peak Glacier
Wheeler Peak Glacier as it appeared in September 2014
Map showing the location of Wheeler Peak Glacier
Map showing the location of Wheeler Peak Glacier
Wheeler Peak Glacier
Location in Nevada
TypeRock and ice glacier
LocationWheeler Peak, Great Basin National Park, White Pine County, Nevada, U.S.
Coordinates38°59′09″N 114°18′50″W / 38.98583°N 114.31389°W / 38.98583; -114.31389[1]
Length.20 mi (0.32 km)
TerminusTalus
StatusRetreating

Wheeler Peak Glacier is a glacier situated at the base of Wheeler Peak within Great Basin National Park in the U.S. state of Nevada.[2] It is the only glacier in the state, and one of the southernmost glaciers in the United States.[3] At a height of 13,063 feet (3,982 m), Wheeler Peak is the tallest mountain in the Snake Range and the second tallest mountain in Nevada.[4] The mountain top is also considered to be a horn, a peak carved and shaped by glaciers over a long period of time.

The Wheeler Peak glacier can be considered an alpine glacier which started melting at 9,000 feet (2,700 m) and the effects of the glacier can easily be seen by observing the pathways (slopes, canyons, and streams) that the melting glacial water has cut through over several years.[5] The glacier is also unique in that it contains many rocks and minerals, including limestone (found in the Lehman Caves), marble, sandstone, shale, quartzite, granite, aragonite, moonmilk, and gypsum.[5]

  1. ^ "Wheeler Peak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  2. ^ Wheeler Peak, NV (Map). TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Glaciers was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Hiking Wheeler Peak in Great Basin National Park
  5. ^ a b NPS: Nature & Science» Geology Resources Division