Columbia Icefield
Alaska Glacier
Glacier National Park
References
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| Alaska Glacier | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Malaspina Glacier is located in south eastern Alaska.� At its widest point the Malaspina Glacier is close to 65 kilometers wide and 45 miles long.� The glacier is located in a flat valley with mountains north of it.� The glacier is formed from these peak glaciers all flowing down into the valley.� With all of these glaciers combining into one massive glacier, called the Malaspina Glacier.� | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| North American Glaciers Columbia Icefield Alaska Glacier Glacier National Park References |
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| One of Malaspina Glacier most unique features is today the glacier is actually increasing in size.� Almost all of Alaska's other glaciers are retreating due to global warming.� Most scientists speculate that the reason the Malaspina Glacier is expanding is due to it being fed by the mountain glaciers.� Those glaciers are expanding themselves because they are so high up that global warming has not caused them to start melting.� In fact global warming is causing this glacier to expand.� With most of Alaska's glaciers melting this means that Alaska now is seeing much more precipitation.� For the Malaspina Glacier, that means the precipitation falls as snow on the mountain tops and forces the glacier to flow downwards, causing the Malaspina Glacier to push forward. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| This glacier is very good news for the whole state of Alaska and citizens worldwide.� If this glacier did not exist it would allow all the run off water from other glaciers to fall in the form | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| When examining the effects the glacier is having on humans, the glacier is expanding, meaning this huge ice sheet is covering up more and more land every day.� Lucky the Malaspina Glacier is located in a national park, therefore it will not force humans to leave their homes.� I think this glacier is actually a good thing for Alaska citizens since the glacier is one of a very few glaciers worldwide which is expanding.� The glacier is also reforming the landscape, and if and when it does start to retreat Alaska will not know what type of ground to expect.� For example a recent glacier which retreated turned up a huge mineral vein.� This new mineral vein will be a huge boost to the Alaska economy.� | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| On the other hand with the Malaspina Glacier expanding it is tearing up the land in front of the glacier.� This land use to be covered with grass, and have trees and many different types of animals called it home.� With the glacier expanding into this valley many animals are being forced to relocate and find a new area to call home.� This means that these wild animals are being forced towards the towns and cities to find food.� | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pictures (from top to bottom) Main mountain which glacier feeds the Malaspina Glacier, A picture taken on Malaspina Glacier, A satalite photo of the whole Glacier | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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