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, an 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
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Matanuska Glacier from 20,000 feet (6,100 m) -
Matanuska Glacier terminus
See also
References
- ^ Matanuska Glacier
- ^ Matanuska River
- ^ "Alaska Glaciers Case Study".
- ^ Matanuska Glacie SRS, Alaska Department of Natural Resources
- ^ Hollander, Zaz. "The price of ice: Matanuska Glacier land owner requires $100 tours for first-time visitors". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ^ "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.
