Worthington Glacier is located in the Chugach Mountains on Girls
Mountain and is one of the most accessible glaciers in Alaska. An
excellent example of a typical valley glacier, and has been
retreating for the last 150 years. Simply defined, valley glaciers
occupy a valley between mountains. Glaciers are formed over time
from layers and layers of snow. After many years the bottom layers
are compressed from the weight to form ice. Eventually this creates
a glacier. Worthington Glacier currently covers almost 5 square
miles. The glacier is located near Thompson Pass, the snowiest
place in Alaska, and gets around 28 FEET of snow each
year.
Worthington Glacier was first designated as a National Natural
Landmark and later became a State Recreation Site, part of Alaska's
State Parks system. The glacier is named for the transit man of an
1899 survey party mapping an ice-free corridor to Alaska's interior
who survived being swept away in a glacial stream. Being an
Earthcache there is NO LOG to sign. To get credit for this
cache e-mail Tundra-Quad the answer to the following questions:
1. What shape valley does a glacier carve? 2. Estimate the
distance across from bank to bank of the Lower Ice Fall as seen
from the shelter.
The
Geological Society of America (GSA) EarthCache Project -
Learn about the EarthCache Master Program: earn
Bronze/Silver/Gold/Platinum status, with an EarthCache Master
Pin awarded at each level!