Harrison Glacier

Harrison Glacier is a glacier located in the US state of Montana in Glacier National Park.[3] Situated on a southeast‐facing ridge immediately south of Mount Jackson, it is the largest remaining glacier in Glacier National Park, estimated in 2005 to have an area of 466 acres (1.89 km2).[2][4] Though many experts have stated that all the glaciers in Glacier National Park may disappear by the year 2030,[4] Harrison Glacier lost only 9 percent of its surface area in the 40-year period between 1966 and 2005 and will likely still exist well beyond 2030.[5] Compared to many of the vanishing glaciers in Glacier National Park, Harrison Glacier's accumulation zone is at a much higher altitude (approximately 9,000 feet (2,700 m)), which has allowed it to maintain some equilibrium in its glacier mass balance.[5] Comparisons of images of the glacier taken in 1913 with images from 2009 indicate that the glacier has experienced thinning and retreat.[6]

Harrison Glacier
Harrison Glacier centered, circa 1925
Map showing the location of Harrison Glacier
Map showing the location of Harrison Glacier
Harrison Glacier
Location in Montana
TypeMountain glacier
LocationGlacier National Park, Flathead County, Montana, United States
Coordinates48°35′34″N 113°43′49″W[1]
Area466 acres (189 ha) in 2005[2]
Length.50 mi (0.80 km)
TerminusBarren rock/talus
StatusRetreating

See also

References
  1. "Harrison Glacier". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  2. "Retreat of Glaciers in Glacier National Park" (PDF). United States Geological Survey. 2010. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  3. Mount Jackson, MT (Map). TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  4. Brown, Matthew (April 7, 2010). "Glacier National Park loses two more glaciers". USA Today. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  5. Pelto, Mauri (April 8, 2010). "Harrison Glacier, Glacier National Park Slow Recession". From a Glaciers Perspective. WordPress. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  6. "Harrison Glacier 1913–2009". Repeat Photography Project. United States Geological Survey. Archived from the original on February 19, 2013. Retrieved September 22, 2012.


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