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North Mowich Glacier

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North Mowich Glacier
North Mowich Glacier, northwest slope of Mount Rainier
TypeMountain glacier
LocationMount Rainier, Pierce County, Washington, USA
Coordinates46°52′55″N 121°48′31″W / 46.88194°N 121.80861°W / 46.88194; -121.80861
Area2.4 square miles (6.2 km2), 1983[1]

The North Mowich Glacier is a glacier located on the northwest flank of Mount Rainier in Washington. It covers 2.4 square miles (6.2 km2) and contains 9.5 billion ft3 (269 million m3) of ice.[1] Starting from the foot of Rainier's steep Mowich Face at about 9,600 feet (2,900 m), the glacier first consists of two lobes of ice that flow downhill to the northwest. The southern arm of the glacier is connected to the adjacent Edmunds Glacier. As the two sections of ice join up, they form a large, relatively flat plateau of ice ranging from 7,800 feet (2,400 m) to 8,300 feet (2,500 m).[2] This plateau is an unbroken expanse of ice except for Needle Rock, which pokes out of the glacier ice. From then on, the southern part of the glacier terminates at about 6,400 feet (2,000 m), while the northern, rocky arm flows down a glacial valley and ends at about 5,800 ft (1,800 m) in elevation.[2] The North Mowich Glacier gives rise to the North Mowich River.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "DESCRIPTION: Mount Rainier Glaciers and Glaciations - Mount Rainier Glacier Hazards and Glacial Outburst Floods". USGS. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
  2. ^ a b "Needle Rock, USGS Mowich Lake (WA) Topo Map". USGS Quad maps. TopoQuest.com. Retrieved 2008-05-17.