![National Park Service Logo](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090512062121im_/http://www.nps.gov/pwr/templates/images/graphics/parkblackband.gif) |
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![National Park Service: U.S. Department of the Interior](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090512062121im_/http://www.nps.gov/pwr/templates/images/graphics/prntarrw.gif) ![National Park Service Arrowhead](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090512062121im_/http://www.nps.gov/pwr/templates/images/graphics/prnttitl.gif) |
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North Cascades National Park Service Complex
Glaciers / Glacial Features
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![Nature and Science Nature and Science](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090512062121im_/http://www.nps.gov/noca/naturescience/images/9j8cgzfe.jpg) |
Glacial ice is a unique and beautiful shade of blue. |
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Glaciers glisten as the most striking mountaintop feature of the North Cascades. Boasting over 300 glaciers and countless snowfields, the North Cascades National Park Service Complex is one of the snowiest places on earth and the most heavily glaciated area in the United States outside of Alaska. Glaciers form when more snow accumulates in winter than melts or evaporates during the following summer. As the snow compacts into ice, it slowly moves downhill. As glaciers move, they gouge and scrape the land redefining the landscape.
The North Cascades glaciers may be disappearing; most have shrunk dramatically during the last century. This is due to the combined effects of less precipitation and warmer summers, which most scientists now attribute to global warming. Glaciers mirror the trends of climate change, resulting in life changes through soil development and distribution of vegetation. Glaciers are indicators of climate changes such as temperature and precipitation. As reservoirs of snow from past winters, pollutants may wash into mountain lakes and streams where they enter the food chain. Salmon and other aquatic life, along with plant and animal life could encounter difficultiesand dramatic change as glaciers disappear.
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| ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090512062121im_/http://www.nps.gov/commonspot/images/clear.gif) | ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090512062121im_/http://www.nps.gov/commonspot/images/clear.gif) |
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![Forbidden Peak Forbidden Peak](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090512062121im_/http://www.nps.gov/pwr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/NOCA_Forbidden-Peak.jpg) Here today, Gone tomorrow? Challenger article on melting glacial areas at NOCA more... | | ![Glaciers and Climate Change Glaciers and Climate Change](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090512062121im_/http://www.nps.gov/pwr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/NOCA_glacierchangehlt.gif) Glaciers indicate drastic changes to climate Climate Friendly Parks initiative calls us all to action. more... | | ![Glacier Change brochure Glacier Change brochure](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090512062121im_/http://www.nps.gov/pwr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/NOCA_60ji91eh_glacierchangehlt.gif) Glacier Change brochure Link to scientific studies from the Climate Impacts Group at U of Washington more... | |
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![Great Horned Owl Great Horned Owl](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090512062121im_/http://www.nps.gov/pwr/customcf/apps/CMS_HandF/Pictures/NOCA_owl1.jpg) |
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Did You Know?
Owl's eyes are fixed in place because their large size provides no room for muscle. To compensate for this, it can turn its head in almost any direction and angle, including the ability to rotate its head nearly 280 degrees. By comparison, people can only turn their heads a mere 90 degrees!
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Last Updated: March 22, 2007 at 17:45 EST |