Mazama Glacier (Mount Adams)

The Mazama Glacier is a small alpine glacier located on the northeast flank of Mount Adams, a stratovolcano in the Cascade Range of Washington state, United States. It is situated at the head of the Mazama Creek drainage, a tributary of the White Salmon River.

The glacier's name derives from Mount Mazama, the destroyed volcano whose caldera now holds Crater Lake in Oregon. The origin of the name is not directly related to geological similarities between the two locations, but rather reflects a naming convention where glaciers are often named after prominent regional features or related geographical concepts.

The Mazama Glacier, like other glaciers on Mount Adams, has experienced significant recession in recent decades due to climate change. This retreat is evidenced by thinning ice, a reduction in surface area, and the formation of proglacial lakes and moraines. The glacier is relatively small compared to other glaciers in the Cascade Range, covering less than one square kilometer.

Its ice is primarily derived from snowfall accumulation at higher elevations on the northeast side of Mount Adams, and supplemented by avalanches cascading from the surrounding steep slopes. The glacier's meltwater contributes to the hydrological regime of the White Salmon River, impacting water resources and ecosystems downstream. The health and size of the Mazama Glacier are closely monitored to provide insights into regional climate trends and their impact on glacial ice.