Gem Glacier Explained

Gem Glacier
Type:Hanging glacier
Location:Glacier National Park, Glacier County, Montana, U.S.
Map:USA Montana
Label Position:right
Map Size:225
Coordinates:48.7467°N -113.7278°W
Coordinates Ref:[1]
Area:5acres in 2005[2]
Terminus:Cliffs
Status:Retreating

Gem Glacier is the smallest named glacier in Glacier National Park (U.S.). Located on the east (Glacier County) side of the Continental Divide arête known as the Garden Wall, the glacier is situated on the cliff face above the better known Grinnell Glacier.[3] Gem Glacier is a hanging glacier, and drapes down from the north face of the steep arete to which it is attached. Gem Glacier is only 5acres in area and is far below the 25acres threshold often cited as qualifying as an active glacier. Between 1966 and 2005, Gem Glacier lost 30 percent of its acreage and Grinnell Glacier lost 40 percent.[2]

See also

Notes and References

  1. 771735. Gem Glacier. 2012-08-12.
  2. Web site: Retreat of Glaciers in Glacier National Park . United States Geological Survey . 2010 . 2010-10-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120511154502/http://www.nrmsc.usgs.gov/files/norock/products/GlacierRecession_infosheet2010_SRC_040910.pdf . May 11, 2012 . mdy .
  3. TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Logan Pass, MT. 2012-08-12.