Adams Glacier (Mount Adams)
Encyclopedia
The Adams Glacier is a large mountain glacier
situated on the northwest flank of Mount Adams
, a 12276 feet (3,741.7 m) stratovolcano
in the U.S. state
of Washington. It is the largest glacier on Mount Adams, flowing down from the summit icecap
at over 12000 feet (3,657.6 m) for over 2.5 miles (4 km) to a terminus near 7000 feet (2,133.6 m).
Between 11800 and 9200 ft (3,596.6 and 2,804.2 m), the glacier flows through a steep icefall
that provides challenging climbing through a maze of serac
s. The first ascent of the glacier was by Fred Beckey
, Dave Lind, and Robert Mulhall in July 1945.
Below 8400 feet (2,560.3 m), the glacier spreads into a broad sheet with five separate tongues of ice extending out to termini between large moraine
s.
The glacier has decreased in surface area by 47% between 1904 and 2006.
Glacier
A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
situated on the northwest flank of Mount Adams
Mount Adams (Washington)
Mount Adams is a potentially activestratovolcano in the Cascade Range and the second-highest mountain in the U.S. state of Washington.Adams is a member of the Cascade Volcanic Arc, and is one of the arc's largest volcanoes,...
, a 12276 feet (3,741.7 m) stratovolcano
Stratovolcano
A stratovolcano, also known as a composite volcano, is a tall, conical volcano built up by many layers of hardened lava, tephra, pumice, and volcanic ash. Unlike shield volcanoes, stratovolcanoes are characterized by a steep profile and periodic, explosive eruptions...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Washington. It is the largest glacier on Mount Adams, flowing down from the summit icecap
Icecap
Icecap my refer to* Ice cap, a geographical feature* Icecap , a blog skeptical of global warming* Raleigh IceCaps, a defunct ECHL Hockey Team...
at over 12000 feet (3,657.6 m) for over 2.5 miles (4 km) to a terminus near 7000 feet (2,133.6 m).
Between 11800 and 9200 ft (3,596.6 and 2,804.2 m), the glacier flows through a steep icefall
Icefall
An icefall is a portion of some glaciers characterized by rapid flow and a chaotic crevassed surface. Perhaps the most conspicuous consequence of glacier flow, icefalls occur where the glacier bed steepens and/or narrows...
that provides challenging climbing through a maze of serac
Serac
A serac is a block or column of ice formed by intersecting crevasses on a glacier. Often house-sized or larger, they are dangerous to mountaineers since they may topple with little warning...
s. The first ascent of the glacier was by Fred Beckey
Fred Beckey
Fred Beckey is an American mountaineer and author, who has made hundreds of first ascents, more than any other North American climber.-Early years:...
, Dave Lind, and Robert Mulhall in July 1945.
Below 8400 feet (2,560.3 m), the glacier spreads into a broad sheet with five separate tongues of ice extending out to termini between large moraine
Moraine
A moraine is any glacially formed accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris which can occur in currently glaciated and formerly glaciated regions, such as those areas acted upon by a past glacial maximum. This debris may have been plucked off a valley floor as a glacier advanced or it may have...
s.
The glacier has decreased in surface area by 47% between 1904 and 2006.