South Cascade Glacier Explained

South Cascade Glacier
Type:Alpine glacier
Location:North Cascades, Skagit County, Washington, USA
Map:USA Washington
Label Position:right
Map Size:225
Coordinates:48.36°N -121.0575°W
Coordinates Ref:[1]
Length:1.3miles
Terminus:Talus/moraine
Status:Retreating

South Cascade Glacier is a large alpine glacier in the North Cascades of Washington, USA.[2] It is bordered on the east by 8261feet Sentinel Peak, and is about 17miles north of Glacier Peak in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. Meltwater from the glacier flows directly into South Cascade Lake, which feeds the South Fork Cascade River, which is a tributary of the Skagit River.

South Cascade Glacier is one of the four "benchmark glaciers" that is monitored by the USGS and its mass balance has been monitored since 1959.[3] Its area has declined from 2.71 km2 in 1958 to 1.8 km2 in 2015 representing an area loss of 34%.[4] Between 1958 and 2009 South Cascade Glacier lost nearly a half of its volume.

See also

Notes and References

  1. 1526140. South Cascade Glacier. 2012-10-20.
  2. TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Dome Peak, WA. 2012-10-20.
  3. Web site: Glaciers and Climate: South Cascade Glacier . 2022-03-06 . www2.usgs.gov.
  4. Bidlake . William R. . 2011 . South Cascade (USA/North Cascades) . Glacier Mass Balance Bulletin . 11 . 8189.