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Coordinates: 61°06′27″N 147°00′58″W / 61.10750°N 147.01611°W / 61.10750; -147.01611
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'''Great Nunatak''' is a {{convert|3652|ft|m|0|adj=on}} elevation summit located {{convert|21|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} west of [[Valdez, Alaska|Valdez]] in the [[Chugach Mountains]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alaska]]. This remote mountain is situated near the terminus of the [[Columbia Glacier (Alaska)|Columbia Glacier]], {{convert|11|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} southeast of [[Columbia Peak (Alaska)|Columbia Peak]], on land managed by [[Chugach National Forest]]. This 2.2-mile long feature has a secondary summit, elevation 3,412 ft.<ref name="listsofjohn">{{cite web|url=https://listsofjohn.com/peak/158831|title=Great Nunatak - 3,647' Alaska|website=listsofjohn.com|accessdate=2020-03-16}}</ref> Great Nunatak traces its name to [[Grove Karl Gilbert]], a geologist with the [[United States Geological Survey]] who was part of the 1899 [[Harriman Alaska expedition]] that explored this area. He believed it to be the largest [[nunatak]] in Alaska when he casually referred to it as ''"the great nunatak"'' in a 1902 publication. The mountain's name was officially adopted in 1975 by the [[U.S. Board on Geographic Names]].<ref name="gnis">{{cite gnis|id=1402940|name=Great Nunatak|accessdate=2020-03-16}}</ref> While the name remains, its status as a nunatak is obsolete because glacier lobes that once barely touched, now no longer completely encircle this landform as the Columbia Glacier retreats, and tidewater of Columbia Bay replaces the ice on the north and west aspects of the mountain.<ref>Pfeffer, W. Tad "''The Opening of a New Landscape: Columbia Glacier at Mid-Retreat''", 2007, ISBN 978-0-87590-729-1</ref>
'''Great Nunatak''' is a {{convert|3652|ft|m|0|adj=on}} elevation summit located {{convert|21|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} west of [[Valdez, Alaska|Valdez]] in the [[Chugach Mountains]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Alaska]]. This remote mountain is situated near the terminus of the [[Columbia Glacier (Alaska)|Columbia Glacier]], {{convert|11|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} southeast of [[Columbia Peak (Alaska)|Columbia Peak]], on land managed by [[Chugach National Forest]]. This 2.2-mile long feature has a secondary summit, elevation 3,412 ft.<ref name="listsofjohn">{{cite web|url=https://listsofjohn.com/peak/158831|title=Great Nunatak - 3,647' Alaska|website=listsofjohn.com|accessdate=2020-03-16}}</ref> Great Nunatak traces its name to [[Grove Karl Gilbert]], a geologist with the [[United States Geological Survey]] who was part of the 1899 [[Harriman Alaska expedition]] that explored this area. He believed it to be the largest [[nunatak]] in Alaska when he casually referred to it as ''"the great nunatak"'' in a 1902 publication. The mountain's name was officially adopted in 1975 by the [[U.S. Board on Geographic Names]].<ref name="gnis">{{cite gnis|id=1402940|name=Great Nunatak|accessdate=2020-03-16}}</ref> While the name remains, its status as a nunatak is obsolete because glacier lobes that once barely touched, now no longer completely encircle this landform as the Columbia Glacier retreats, and tidewater of Columbia Bay replaces the ice on the north and west aspects of the mountain.<ref>Pfeffer, W. Tad "''The Opening of a New Landscape: Columbia Glacier at Mid-Retreat''", 2007, {{ISBN|978-0-87590-729-1}}</ref>


==Climate==
==Climate==

Revision as of 16:06, 17 March 2020

Great Nunatak
Aerial view from the south in 1934
Highest point
Elevation3,652 ft (1,113 m)[1]
Prominence1,952 ft (595 m)[1]
Isolation3.33 mi (5.36 km)[1]
Coordinates61°06′27″N 147°00′58″W / 61.10750°N 147.01611°W / 61.10750; -147.01611[1]
Geography
Great Nunatak is located in Alaska
Great Nunatak
Great Nunatak
Location of Great Nunatak in Alaska
LocationChugach National Forest
Valdez-Cordova Borough
Alaska, United States
Parent rangeChugach Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Anchorage A-1

Great Nunatak is a 3,652-foot (1,113 m) elevation summit located 21 mi (34 km) west of Valdez in the Chugach Mountains of the U.S. state of Alaska. This remote mountain is situated near the terminus of the Columbia Glacier, 11 mi (18 km) southeast of Columbia Peak, on land managed by Chugach National Forest. This 2.2-mile long feature has a secondary summit, elevation 3,412 ft.[2] Great Nunatak traces its name to Grove Karl Gilbert, a geologist with the United States Geological Survey who was part of the 1899 Harriman Alaska expedition that explored this area. He believed it to be the largest nunatak in Alaska when he casually referred to it as "the great nunatak" in a 1902 publication. The mountain's name was officially adopted in 1975 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.[3] While the name remains, its status as a nunatak is obsolete because glacier lobes that once barely touched, now no longer completely encircle this landform as the Columbia Glacier retreats, and tidewater of Columbia Bay replaces the ice on the north and west aspects of the mountain.[4]

Climate

Based on the Köppen climate classification, Great Nunatak is located in a subarctic climate zone with long, cold, snowy winters, and mild summers.[5] Weather systems coming off the Gulf of Alaska are forced upwards by the Chugach Mountains (orographic lift), causing heavy precipitation in the form of rainfall and snowfall. Temperatures can drop below −20 °C with wind chill factors below −30 °C. This climate supports the Columbia Glacier surrounding this mountain. The months May through June offer the most favorable weather for climbing or viewing.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Great Nunatak, Alaska". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  2. ^ "Great Nunatak - 3,647' Alaska". listsofjohn.com. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  3. ^ "Great Nunatak". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  4. ^ Pfeffer, W. Tad "The Opening of a New Landscape: Columbia Glacier at Mid-Retreat", 2007, ISBN 978-0-87590-729-1
  5. ^ Peel, M. C.; Finlayson, B. L.; McMahon, T. A. (2007). "Updated world map of the Köppen−Geiger climate classification". Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci. 11. ISSN 1027-5606. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |last-author-amp= ignored (|name-list-style= suggested) (help)
  • Great Nunatak in lower half of frame surrounded by Columbia Glacier in 1966
    Great Nunatak in lower half of frame surrounded by Columbia Glacier in 1966
  • Great Nunatak in 1975
    Great Nunatak in 1975
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