Saint Elias Mountains

The Saint Elias Mountains (French: Chaîne Saint-Élie) are a subgroup of the Pacific Coast Ranges. They are located in southeastern Alaska in the United States, southwestern Yukon, and the very far northwestern part of British Columbia in Canada. This mountain range includes parts of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in the United States, Kluane National Park and Reserve in Canada, and all of Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska.

In Alaska, the Saint Elias Mountains also cover parts of the city/borough of Yakutat and the Hoonah-Angoon, Copper River, and Chugach census areas. The range gets its name from Mount Saint Elias, which was named in 1741 by the Danish-born Russian explorer Vitus Bering. These mountains are known for their stunning landscapes and are a place where many people go to explore and enjoy nature.

Geology

The Saint Elias Mountains are the highest coastal mountains on Earth. They formed because of the movement of the Yakutat microplate under the North American Plate. The Yakutat microplate is a thick piece of the ocean floor moving northwest at about 50 millimetres each year. This movement pushes up the land above it, creating tall mountains.

The Saint Elias Mountains grew where these two plates meet. Thick layers of sediment were twisted and shaped as they moved, forming the southern parts of the mountain range. The highest peaks are found in areas covered by big glaciers, such as in Kluane National Park, including famous mountains like Mount Logan.

Ranges

The Saint Elias Mountains are split by a valley called the Duke Depression. To the east are the shorter, rounded Kluane Ranges, and to the west are the taller Icefield Ranges. Some smaller parts of the Saint Elias Mountains include the Alsek Ranges, the Fairweather Range, and the Centennial Range.

Highest mountains

The Saint Elias Mountains are home to some of the tallest mountains in the world. These peaks rise very high above the surrounding land, making them famous among climbers and nature lovers.

Image

A 3D view shows the Saint Elias Mountains and the Malaspina Glacier.