Harrison Glacier

Harrison Glacier
Location in Montana
Harrison Glacier

Location in Montana

Type Mountain glacier
Location Glacier National Park, Flathead County, Montana, United States
Coordinates 48°35′34″N 113°43′49″W / 48.59278°N 113.73028°W / 48.59278; -113.73028Coordinates: 48°35′34″N 113°43′49″W / 48.59278°N 113.73028°W / 48.59278; -113.73028[1]
Area 466 acres (189 ha) in 2005[2]
Length .50 mi (0.80 km)
Terminus Barren rock/talus
Status Retreating

Harrison Glacier is located in the US state of Montana in Glacier National Park.[3] Situated on a southeast facing ridge immediately south of Mount Jackson, Harrison Glacier is the largest glacier in Glacier National Park and was estimated in 2005 to have an area of 466 acres (1.89 km2).[2][4] Though many experts have stated that all the glaciers in Glacier National Park may disappear by the year 2030,[4] Harrison Glacier lost only 9 percent of its surface area in the 40-year period between 1966 and 2005 and will likely still exist well beyond 2030.[5] Compared to many of the vanishing glaciers in Glacier National Park, Harrison Glacier has a much higher altitude accumulation zone (approximately 9,000 feet (2,700 m)) which has allowed it to maintain some equilibrium in its glacier mass balance.[5] Comparing images of the glacier taken in 1913 with those from 2009, indicates that the glacier has experienced thinning and retreat.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Harrison Glacier". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2012-09-22.
  2. 1 2 "Retreat of Glaciers in Glacier National Park" (pdf). United States Geological Survey. 2010. Retrieved 2012-09-22.
  3. ↑ Mount Jackson, MT (Map). TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Retrieved 2012-09-22.
  4. 1 2 Brown, Matthew (April 7, 2010). "Glacier National Park loses two more glaciers". USA Today. Retrieved 2012-09-22.
  5. 1 2 Pelto, Mauri (April 8, 2010). "Harrison Glacier, Glacier National Park Slow Recession". From a Glaciers Perspective. WordPress. Retrieved 2012-09-22.
  6. ↑ "Harrison Glacier 1913–2009". Repeat Photography Project. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2012-09-22.
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