Columbia Glacier | |
---|---|
![]() Columbia Glacier in left background, looking north, in 2005
[1] | |
Type | Mountain glacier |
Location | Snohomish County, Washington, USA |
Coordinates | 47°57′45″N 121°20′55″W / 47.96250°N 121.34861°W [2] |
Area | .33 sq mi (0.85 km2) |
Length | 1 mi (1.6 km) |
Thickness | 246 ft (75 m) |
Terminus | Moraine |
Status | Retreating |
|
Columbia Glacier is a glacier located in the
Henry M. Jackson Wilderness in the
U.S. state of
Washington. It descends from 5,600 ft (1,700 m) to 4,700 ft (1,400 m) above
sea level. It is surrounded by
Columbia Peak,
Monte Cristo Peak, and
Kyes Peak and is a source of water for
Blanca Lake and Troublesome Creek, a tributary of the North Fork
Skykomish River.
The glacier retreated 278 ft (85 m) between 1979 and 2004. The retreat is due to recent reduced winter snowpack and more summer melting leading to negative mass balance. The glacier is in disequilibrium with climate and will continue to thin and retreat. [3]