Arrow Glacier
Arrow Glacier is a small, recently named glacial remnant located on the west slope of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It represents a tiny fraction of the icecap that once covered the mountain's summit and is situated at a very high elevation.
Key Facts
- ›Located near the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
- ›Situated on the west slope of the peak.
- ›A remnant of a former icecap that covered Kilimanjaro.
- ›Found at elevations between 5,470 and 5,300 meters.
- ›Adjacent to the Western Breach/Arrow Glacier Route.
- ›May not have existed as of 2011.
Known For
- Being a remnant of Kilimanjaro's former icecap
- Its high elevation
About Arrow Glacier
Arrow Glacier is a small, recently identified glacial remnant situated on the west slope of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It represents a tiny surviving portion of the extensive icecap that once adorned the summit of Africa's highest peak. The glacier is found at extremely high altitudes, between 5,470 and 5,300 meters (17,950 and 17,390 ft), making it a stark indicator of glacial retreat in tropical regions.
Historically, Arrow Glacier was known as the Little Barranco Glacier before being renamed. Its existence as of recent years has been uncertain, with reports suggesting it may not have been present in 2011, underscoring the rapid decline of high-altitude ice. The glacier lies adjacent to a popular climbing route, the Western Breach/Arrow Glacier Route, also known as the Lemosho Route, offering climbers a glimpse of these diminishing ice formations.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Arrow Glacier located?
Arrow Glacier is situated on the west slope of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, near the mountain's summit. It is part of a high-altitude region on the peak.
What is the elevation of Arrow Glacier?
The glacier is found at elevations ranging between 5,470 and 5,300 meters (17,950 and 17,390 ft). This places it among the highest glaciers in Africa.
What is Arrow Glacier a remnant of?
Arrow Glacier is a small remnant of a much larger icecap that once crowned the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is what remained of an earlier glacial feature known as the Little Barranco Glacier.
Is Arrow Glacier still present?
Arrow Glacier is described as a recently named glacial remnant. It was noted that it may not have even existed as of 2011, indicating its precarious and diminishing state.
What climbing route is near Arrow Glacier?
Arrow Glacier is adjacent to a climbing route known as the Western Breach/Arrow Glacier Route, which is also commonly referred to as the Lemosho Route.
Related Glaciers
Barranco Glacier
Barranco Glacier is a diminishing ice remnant located on the southwest slope of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Once known as the Great Barranco Glacier, it is a small vestige of a much larger ice cap that previously covered the mountain's summit. Its current state reflects significant glacial retreat, with only two small, dormant ice bodies remaining.
Credner Glacier
The Credner Glacier is a significant remnant of the ice cap that once covered Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Located on the northwest slope, it is one of the largest glaciers on the mountain, descending from the Northern Ice Field. Its rapid retreat, driven by its exposed position, presents a concerning indicator of climate change.
Drygalski Glacier
The Drygalski Glacier was a significant ice sheet located on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, originating near the summit and feeding from the Northern Ice Field. It dates back to the last ice age, approximately 11,700 years ago, and was named after the German explorer Erich von Drygalski. Dramatic melting due to climate change has led to its reported disappearance by 2022, marking a significant loss of glacial ice on Africa's highest peak.