Easton Glacier

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Easton Glacier
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Easton Glacier on the south slope of Mount Baker, note 1985 terminus position
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Easton Glacier
TypeMountain glacier
Coordinates 48°44′37″N121°50′06″W / 48.74361°N 121.83500°W / 48.74361; -121.83500 Coordinates: 48°44′37″N121°50′06″W / 48.74361°N 121.83500°W / 48.74361; -121.83500 [1]
Length2.5 mi (4.0 km)
Thickness180 to 230 ft (55 to 70 m)
TerminusMoraine/talus
StatusRetreating

Easton Glacier is one of the more prominent alpine glaciers on Mount Baker in the North Cascades of Washington state, United States. [2] Named for Charles F. Easton of Bellingham, who did much to preserve the history of Mount Baker, [3] it is positioned on the south face of the mountain and flanked by Squak and Deming Glaciers. [2]

Contents

The glacier head is located near Sherman Crater at about 9,000 feet (2,700 m) and the terminus is at 5,500 feet (1,700 m). The glacier has created two very clear lateral moraines, the left being Metcaife Moraine and the right Railroad Grade. Evidence of the glacier's movement can clearly be seen on the valley floor. Many of the andesite outcrops and boulders have been polished, and glacial striations are easily visible.

Between 1850 and 1950, Easton Glacier retreated 7,940 ft (2,420 m). During a cooler and wetter period from 1950 to 1979, the glacier advanced 1,995 ft (608 m) but between 1980 and 2006 retreated back 902 ft (275 m). [4] Between 1990 and 2009 Easton Glacier retreated 980 ft (300 m) and lost an average of 43 ft (13 m) of thickness. [5]

See also

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Lower Curtis Glacier

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Coleman Glacier (Washington)

Coleman Glacier is located on Mount Baker in the North Cascades of the U.S. state of Washington. Between 1850 and 1950, Coleman Glacier retreated 8,200 ft (2,500 m). During a cooler and wetter period from 1950 to 1979, the glacier advanced 2,480 ft (760 m) but between 1980 and 2006 retreated back 1,443 ft (440 m). Situated on the west slopes of Mount Baker, Coleman Glacier is bordered by the Roosevelt Glacier to the north and the Heliotrope Ridge to the south.

Deming Glacier (Washington)

Deming Glacier is located on Mount Baker in the North Cascades of the U.S. state of Washington. Between 1850 and 1950, Deming Glacier retreated 7,217 ft (2,200 m). During a cooler and wetter period from 1950 to 1979, the glacier advanced 2,060 ft (630 m) but between 1980 and 2006 retreated back 1,140 ft (350 m). Situated on the southwest slopes of Mount Baker, Deming Glacier is bordered by the Easton Glacier to the east and the Black Buttes ridge to the west.

Mazama Glacier (Mount Baker)

Mazama Glacier is located on Mount Baker in the North Cascades of the U.S. state of Washington. Between 1850 and 1950, Mazama Glacier retreated 7,700 ft (2,300 m). During a cooler and wetter period from 1950 to 1979, the glacier advanced 1,476 ft (450 m) but between 1980 and 2006 retreated back 1,509 ft (460 m). Situated on the north slopes of Mount Baker, Mazama Glacier is bordered by the Park Glacier to the south and Rainbow Glacier to the east.

Rainbow Glacier (Washington)

Rainbow Glacier is located on the northeast slopes of Mount Baker in the North Cascades of the U.S. state of Washington. Rainbow Glacier descends to nearly 4,500 ft (1,400 m) to the north of Lava Divide. In the middle of its course, Rainbow Glacier is connected to Park Glacier to its south and Mazama Glacier to the west. Between 1850 and 1950, Rainbow Glacier retreated 4,494 ft (1,370 m). During a cooler and wetter period from 1950 to 1979, the glacier advanced 1,679 ft (512 m) but between 1980 and 2006 retreated back 1,345 ft (410 m).

Sholes Glacier

Sholes Glacier is located on the northeast slopes of Mount Baker in the North Cascades of the U.S. state of Washington. The glacier lies on the north side of the ridge known as The Portals. Between 1850 and 1950, Sholes Glacier retreated 3,838 ft (1,170 m). During a cooler and wetter period from 1950 to 1979, the glacier advanced 187 ft (57 m) but between 1980 and 2006 retreated back 278 ft (85 m).

Squak Glacier

Squak Glacier is located on the southeast slopes of Mount Baker in the North Cascades of the U.S. state of Washington. Squak Glacier is connected to Easton Glacier to the east and Talum Glaciers to the west. Between 1850 and 1950, Squak Glacier retreated 8,202 ft (2,500 m). During a cooler and wetter period from 1950 to 1979, the glacier advanced 305 ft (93 m) but between 1980 and 2006 retreated back 869 ft (265 m).

Talum Glaciers

The Talum Glaciers are located on the southeast slopes of Mount Baker in the North Cascades of the U.S. state of Washington. The glaciers are connected to Squak Glacier to the west. Between 1850 and 1950, the Talum Glaciers retreated 6,479 ft (1,975 m). During a cooler and wetter period from 1950 to 1979, the glaciers advanced 902 ft (275 m) but between 1980 and 2006 retreated back 951 ft (290 m).

Chocolate Glacier

Chocolate Glacier is located on east slopes of Glacier Peak in the U.S. state of Washington. The glacier descends from 10,400 ft (3,200 m) to 5,900 ft (1,800 m) and is partially connected to Cool Glacier which lies to its south just below the summit of Glacier Peak. As is true with all the glaciers found on Glacier Peak, Chocolate Glacier is retreating. Chocolate Glacier retreated approximately 1,380 m (4,530 ft) between 1906 and 1946, however during a cooler and wetter period from about 1950 to 1979, the glacier advanced 450 m (1,480 ft). Chocolate Glacier has resumed retreating since and has given back 350 m (1,150 ft), nearing its previously recorded minimal length. The current terminus at 1800 m is still the lowest of the east side glacier. Chocolate Glacier remains heavily crevassed and active to 1900 m. The lowest 300 m of the glacier are stagnant.

Cool Glacier

Cool Glacier is located on east slopes of Glacier Peak in the U.S. state of Washington. The glacier descends from 10,200 ft (3,100 m) to 6,900 ft (2,100 m) and is partially connected to Chocolate Glacier which lies to its north just below the summit of Glacier Peak. As is true with all the glaciers found on Glacier Peak, Cool Glacier is retreating. Cool 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. Since then Cool Glacier resumed retreating and by 2005 the glacier was within 40 m (130 ft) of its minimum length recorded in 1946.

North Guardian Glacier

North Guardian Glacier is located on east slopes of Glacier Peak in the U.S. state of Washington. 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. 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.

Kennedy Glacier (Washington)

Kennedy Glacier is located on northwest slopes of Glacier Peak in the U.S. state of Washington. As is true with all the glaciers found on Glacier Peak, Kennedy Glacier is retreating. 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.

Suiattle Glacier Glacier in the United States

Suiattle Glacier is located in the Glacier Peak Wilderness in the U.S. state of Washington. The glacier is within Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and nearly touches Honeycomb and White River glaciers separated from them by an arête off the Kololo Peaks at its uppermost reaches. Suiattle Glacier has retreated significantly since the end of the Little Ice Age, and from approximately the years 1850 to 1924 lost 1,400 m (4,600 ft) of its length. Between 1924 and 1940, the glacier retreated an additional 900 m (3,000 ft), then during a cooler and wetter period between 1967 and 1979, the glacier had a small advance of 20 m (66 ft). Between 1979 and 2005 the glacier again retreated 178 m (584 ft) upslope.

Neve Glacier

Neve Glacier is in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington and is on the north slopes of Snowfield Peak. Neve Glacier flows generally north and splits in two with two terminal tongues, one flowing to the northwest which is known as Ladder Creek Glacier and the other descending a total of more than 1.8 mi (2.9 km) to the east. Ladder Creek Glacier descends from 7,800 to 6,000 ft, while the east tongue also originates from the same altitude and descends to 5,600 ft (1,700 m). Between 1850 and 2006, Neve Glacier is estimated to have retreated more than 1,000 m (3,300 ft).

Colonial Glacier

Colonial Glacier is in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington and is immediately northwest of Neve Peak. Colonial Glacier flows generally north, descending from 6,800 to 6,000 ft. Between 1950 and 2006, Colonial Glacier is estimated to have retreated more than 300 m (980 ft) and a newly formed proglacial lake filled the recently vacated former terminal moraine. The reduction in size of the glaciers of the North Cascades will reduce summertime meltwater runoff which is used to maintain a steady supply of electricity from hydroelectric power plants.

Daniel Glacier

Daniel Glacier is in Wenatchee National Forest in the U.S. state of Washington and is on the north slope of Mount Daniel. Daniel Glacier retreated almost 500 m (1,600 ft) between 1950 and 2005. Daniel Glacier is separated from Lynch Glacier to the west by a ridge.

Foss Glacier

Foss Glacier is within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness of Snoqualmie National Forest in the U.S. state of Washington and is on the northeast slope of Mount Hinman. Foss Glacier retreated almost 500 m (1,600 ft) between 1950 and 2005. Foss Glacier is separated from the nearly vanished Hinman Glacier to the west by a ridge.

Watson Glacier

Watson Glacier is in Snoqualmie National Forest in the U.S. state of Washington, on the north slope of Mount Watson. Watson Glacier retreated 430 ft (130 m) between 1950 and 2007 and is now only 1,150 ft (350 m) in length. Watson Glacier descends from 6,000 to 5,700 ft.

References

  1. ↑ "Easton Glacier". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey . Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  2. 1 2 Baker Pass, WA (Map). TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  3. ↑ Majors, Harry M. (1975). Exploring Washington. Van Winkle Publishing Co. p. 30. ISBN   978-0-918664-00-6.
  4. ↑ Pelto, Mauri. "North Cascade Glacier Retreat". Nichols College. Archived from the original on 2012-10-22. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  5. ↑ Pelto, Mauri (October 24, 2009). "Mass Balance of the Easton Glacier 2009". Wordpress. Retrieved 2012-10-20.


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