Thirsty River

This site contains information about the North Cascades glaciers and the extent of the ice sheet and glaciers during the Pleistocene. Over the past 100 years a number of glaciers have disappeared from the mountain cirques of North Cascades National Park. Scientists want to know the status of the remaining glaciers. Are they gaining mass or losing it over the years? The results from these glacial studies are relayed to local communities and others who depend on the water that flows from North Cascades glaciers. Notes from the field include a glacial monitoring summary, information about the Cordilleran ice sheet, Pleistocene alpine ice, and annual precipitation. Additional links lead to photographs and information about Mount Shuksan, Glacier Peak, a U-shaped valley, a moraine glacier research, glacier coring, and data collection. Two other links lead to related classroom activities. Educational levels: Intermediate elementary, Middle school