Is this the world's WEIRDEST glacier?

Key Concepts

• Crater Glacier: A glacier located within the crater of Mount St. Helens.
• Mount St. Helens Eruption (1980): The volcanic event that created the crater where Crater Glacier now exists.
• Lava Dome: A dome-shaped mass of viscous lava that has erupted from a volcano.
• Global Warming: The long-term heating of Earth's climate system observed since the pre-industrial period due to human activities.
• Lahars: Fast-moving, cement-like flows of volcanic mud, ash, and debris.

Crater Glacier: A Growing Anomaly

The video discusses Crater Glacier, located within the mile-wide crater of Mount St. Helens, as one of the world's only growing glaciers and a particularly fascinating geological phenomenon.

Formation and Growth:

• The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens removed the summit and created a crater open to the north.
• Over time, snowfall and frequent avalanches have filled this crater, leading to the formation of Crater Glacier.
• Remarkably, a lava dome has risen through the center of the ice.
• Despite the heat emanating from the lava dome and the effects of global warming causing most other glaciers to retreat, Crater Glacier continues to grow.

Explanation for Growth:

• The eruption's blast directed the north side of the mountain, creating a deep crater.
• This crater's orientation effectively blocks direct sunlight for most of the year.
• The crater also traps snow.
• The combination of reduced melting due to lack of sunlight and consistent snow accumulation results in more snow piling up than melts away, leading to glacier growth.

Future Implications: Increased Eruption Risk

The continued growth of Crater Glacier presents a significant concern for future volcanic activity at Mount St. Helens.

• Mount St. Helens remains the most active volcano in the Cascades.
• A future eruption, when it occurs, could lead to the sudden melting of the substantial ice mass of Crater Glacier.
• This rapid melting could trigger catastrophic floods and lahars.
• Lahars are described as fast-moving, cement-like flows composed of volcanic mud, ash, and debris. These flows can travel down valleys with destructive force, obliterating everything in their path.

Conclusion

Crater Glacier at Mount St. Helens is an anomaly, growing despite global warming and the presence of a heat-generating lava dome. This growth is attributed to the unique topography of the crater, which shields the ice from sunlight and traps snow. However, this unusual growth also amplifies the potential danger of future eruptions, as the sudden melting of the glacier could unleash devastating lahars.