Hinman Glacier
History
Evidence suggests that Hinman Glacier may have formed as early as the retreat of the Cordilleran ice sheet, which covered the region approximately 14,000 years ago, with it being at least as old as the Mount Mazama eruption 7,000 years ago that created Crater Lake in Oregon.
Loss of glacier
Made up of two sections, the western lobe was the first to disappear, leaving only small patches of ice by 2009. The glacier persisted on the north flank of Mount Hinman for another decade and repeat photography showed rapid retreat. A new lake, unofficially named Hinman Lake, formed behind the terminal moraine during the second half of the 20th Century as the ice receded. Fragments of the glacier in the form of ice masses are dispersed within and around the lake.
Environmental impact
Meltwater from Hinman Glacier fed the Skykomish River and in concert with the decline of other glacial ice in this portion of the Cascades, this has led to negative impacts on streamflow of the river and drainage basin into the Puget Sound near Everett. With less dependable late-summer waterflow, measured at approximately 55% surface loss, the depletion can cause harm to Pacific Northwest salmon and other aquatic life in the river, as well as the local population who depend on the waters.
See also
References
- ^ "Hinman Glacier". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
- ^ Mount Daniel, WA (Map). TopoQwest (United States Geological Survey Maps). Retrieved March 2, 2013.
- ^ Beckey, Fred (2000). Cascade Alpine Guide.
- ^ "USGS: Geological Survey Professional Paper 705—A: Inventory of Glaciers in the North Cascades, Washington". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ Pelto, Mauri (2022-12-29). "Loss of Hinman Glacier, North Cascade Range 1958-2022". From a Glacier's Perspective. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ Ryan, John (January 26, 2023). "RIP Washington's Hinman Glacier, gone after thousands of years". KUOW. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
- ^ Pelto, Mauri (2009). "Hinman Glacier, North Cascades disappears". From a Glaciers Perspective. Glacier Change. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
- ^ Ramzeriz, Rachel (February 2, 2023). "Large glacier near Seattle has 'completely disappeared,' says researcher who has tracked it for years". CNN. Retrieved June 11, 2023.