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Gem Glacier

Glacier in Glacier NP, Rocky Mountains near Lake McDonald Hotel, MT

Gem Glacier has diminished in area by 24% from 1966 to 2015.

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Gem Glacier is the smallest named glacier in Glacier National Park (U.S.). Located on the east (Glacier County) side of the Continental Divide arête known as the Garden Wall, the glacier is situated on the cliff face above the better known Grinnell Glacier. Gem Glacier is a hanging glacier, and drapes down from the north face of the steep arete to which it is attached. Gem Glacier is only 5 acres (0.020 km2) in area and is far below the 25 acres (0.10 km2) threshold often cited as qualifying as an active glacier. Between 1966 and 2005, Gem Glacier lost 30 percent of its acreage and Grinnell Glacier lost 40 percent.