The geographical location of the Colombian ice sheet

The glacier area is located between Mount Columbia in the west with an altitude of 3747 meters (12294 feet) and Mount athabasca in the east with an altitude of 349 1 meter (1 1452 feet). There is Jasper National Park in the south and highways leading to Banff and Calgary in Alberta in the east. The ice sheet covers an area of 500 square kilometers (200 square miles) and consists of ice sheets and a dozen glaciers. The ice sheet is generally above 3000 meters (10000 feet) above sea level, and the maximum ice sheet thickness is 130 meters (420 feet). There are two main glacier tongues. Athabasca Glacier in the north covers an area of about 30 square kilometers, which is a typical Canadian Rocky Mountain Glacier. Its meltwater flows into the Arctic Ocean through the Athabasca River, Athabasca Lake, Slave River, Danu Lake and mackenzie river. At 17 15 and 1840, the end of the glacier advanced twice, and then gradually retreated. Saskatchewan Glacier in the east is the largest glacier on the ice sheet, with an area of about 60 square kilometers (23 square miles) and a gentle slope. The ice layer is 442 meters (65,438+0,450 feet) thick, and its flow rate and melting speed are similar to those of athabasca Glacier and other major tributaries. Melting water flows into Hudson Bay, passes through saskatchewan river and leads to the Atlantic Ocean. Meltwater from the northwest edge of the ice sheet flows into the Pacific Ocean along the Fraser River and the Columbia River. There are green lakes and lush forests in the valley around the ice sheet. The huge valley glaciers rise and fall gently, making it easier for hikers and climbers to reach the top of the mountain. Since the 1950' s, two glaciers in athabasca and Saskatchewan have been investigated comprehensively. One of its achievements is the discovery of an underground river under the ice sheet.