The Volta Glacier is located in Mount Aspiring National Park in the Southern Alps of the South Island of New Zealand.

Volta Glacier
Map showing the location of Volta Glacier
Map showing the location of Volta Glacier
TypeIce field
LocationMount Aspiring / Tititea, Southern Alps / Kā Tiritiri o te Moana
Coordinates44°21′S 168°47′E / 44.350°S 168.783°E / -44.350; 168.783
Length9 km (5.6 mi)
Width1.2 km (0.75 mi)
Highest elevation2,360 m (7,740 ft)
Lowest elevation1,050 m (3,440 ft)
StatusDeclining[1]

It is split into upper and lower glaciers which are connected by an icefall. The Upper Volta Glacier[2] is between 1,600–2,000 m (5,200–6,600 ft) in altitude and is surrounded by the 3 peaks of Glacier Dome, Pickelhaube and Fastness Peak, while the Lower Volta Glacier[3] sits directly under the North side of Mount Aspiring / Tititea and lies between 1,000–1,400 m (3,300–4,600 ft). The Lower Volta Glacier feeds an unnamed lake at the Glacier Toe, which in turn feeds the Waiatoto River which eventually runs out to the West Coast.

References

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  1. ^ "New Zealand glaciers shrinking". NIWA. 18 November 2007. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  2. ^ "Place name detail: Upper Volta Glacier". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  3. ^ "Place name detail: Lower Volta Glacier". New Zealand Gazetteer. New Zealand Geographic Board. Retrieved 18 March 2018.