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On The Matanuska Glacier

Glacier Education

Glacier Moulins

Moulins French Influence Moulin, a French word for “mill”, are vertical rivers that serve as a glacier’s internal plumbing system. They carry water out of the glacier by meltwater streams and lakes formed on the surface of Meltwater moves over the surface of the ice, finding the pathway of least resistance. the ice. These shafts…

Mysterious Matanuska Moss Balls

Glacial Feature of the Month: Glacier Moss Matanuska Mice Nobody really knows what they are in for when first coming to the Matanuska Glacier. Some expect an arctic wasteland of snow and wind while others expect arching ice caves reaching up to the parking lot. One thing that nobody expects to find are balls of…

Matanuska Glacier Over Time

A Natural History During the last glacial maximum, about 22,000 years ago, the Matanuska Glacier reached its peak in size. The terminus once reached the north end of Anchorage. The Knik Glacier met with the Matanuska and formed a lobed shape during this time period. Geological evidence points to these two glaciers retreating in two…