Columbia Glacier (Washington)

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Columbia Glacier
Columbia Glacier in left background
Columbia Glacier in left background
Type Mountain glacier
Location Washington, U.S.
Coordinates 47°57′75″N 121°20′80″W / 47.97083, -121.35556Coordinates: 47°57′75″N 121°20′80″W / 47.97083, -121.35556
Area 0.33 square miles (0.87 km²)
Length 1 mile (1.6 km) est.
Thickness < 246 feet (75 m)
Terminus Moraine
Status Retreating
See also Columbia Glacier (Alaska).

Columbia Glacier is a glacier located in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness in the U.S. state of Washington. It rises from from 4,700 (1,432 m) to about 5,600 feet (1,706 m) above sea level. It is surrounded by Columbia Peak, Monte Cristo Peak, and Kyes Peak and is a source of water for Blanca Lake as well as the Skykomish River. The glacier retreated 278 feet (85 m) between 1979 and 2004. The retreat is due to recent reduced winter snowpack and more summer melting leading to negative mass balance. The glacier is in disequilibrium with climate and will continue to thin and retreat.

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