Matanuska Glacier
Matanuska Glacier
Map showing the location of Matanuska Glacier
Map showing the location of Matanuska Glacier
Matanuska Glacier
TypeMountain glacier
LocationMatanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, U.S.
Coordinates61°39′21″N 147°34′52″W / 61.65583°N 147.58111°W / 61.65583; -147.58111
Length27 miles (43 km) [1]
TerminusMatanuska River
StatusRetreating
Map

Matanuska Glacier is a valley glacier in the US state of Alaska. At 27 miles (43 km) long by 4 miles (6.4 km) wide, it is the largest glacier accessible by car in the United States. Its terminus feeds the Matanuska River.[2] It lies near the Glenn Highway about 100 miles (160 km) northeast of Anchorage in Glacier View. The glacier flows about 1 foot (30 cm) per day. Due to ablation of the lower glacier, as of 2007, the location of the glacier terminus has changed little over the previous three decades.[3]

Ownership and access

The glacier is located in Matanuska Glacier State Recreation Site, a Alaska State Park with trails and a small campground.[4] Although the park is public, a private entity affiliated with Cook Inlet Region, Inc. charges a toll on the only bridge connecting the park to Alaska Route 1.[5][6]

Name

The glacier is the eponym of the Alaska Marine Highway ferry MV Matanuska.

Gallery

Matanuska Glacier
  • Matanuska Glacier from 20,000 feet (6,100 m)
    Matanuska Glacier from 20,000 feet (6,100 m)
  • Matanuska Glacier terminus
    Matanuska Glacier terminus

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Matanuska Glacier.
  1. ^ Matanuska Glacier
  2. ^ Matanuska River
  3. ^ "Alaska Glaciers Case Study".
  4. ^ Matanuska Glacie SRS, Alaska Department of Natural Resources
  5. ^ Hollander, Zaz. "The price of ice: Matanuska Glacier land owner requires $100 tours for first-time visitors". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  6. ^ "Alaska's Matanuska Glacier is public, but most visitors can reach it only via private land". Washington Post. 2021-10-21. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
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