Boston Glacier Explained

Boston Glacier
Type:Mountain glacier
Location:North Cascades National Park, Skagit County, Washington, United States
Map:USA Washington
Label Position:right
Map Size:225
Coordinates:48.5061°N -121.0336°W
Coordinates Ref:[1]
Length:1miles
Terminus:Icefall
Status:Retreating

Boston Glacier is located in a large cirque below several mountain peaks in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington.[2] Approximately 1miles long but nearly 3.5miles wide, it is the largest glacier in North Cascades National Park.[3] Extending in an arc from the north of Forbidden Peak, it is flanked by Boston Peak to the southwest and Buckner Mountain at its eastern margin, between which it lies below the arête known as Ripsaw Ridge. Another arête extending between Boston Peak, Sharkfin Tower, Forbidden Peak and further north separate Boston Glacier from the nearly adjoining Quien Sabe and Forbidden Glaciers. Boston Glacier has been in an overall state of retreat since the end of the Little Ice Age around the year 1850. A moderate advance occurred between 1950 and the mid-1970s; however, the retreat resumed and between 1972 and 2006 its terminus retreated 1470feet.[4]

See also

Notes and References

  1. 1516810. Boston Glacier. October 26, 2014.
  2. TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Forbidden Peak, WA. October 26, 2014.
  3. Web site: Post. Austin. Inventory of Glaciers in the North Cascades, Washington. United States Geological Survey. August 26, 2014. Don Richardson. Wendell V. Tangborn. F. L. Rosselot. 1971. October 18, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121018120946/http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/geology/publications/pp/705-A/sec2.htm#1. dead.
  4. Web site: Pelto. Mauri. North Cascade Glacier Terminus Behavior. North Cascade Glacier Climate Project. Nichols College. October 26, 2014.