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News18
19-05-2025
- Science
- News18
Why The Crumbling Of Argentina's Iconic Glacier Is A Cause Of Concern
Last Updated: Experts say Perito Moreno in Argentina has maintained its mass for decades. But accumulation of icebergs over the past few years has been a cause of concern for glaciologists Argentina's iconic Perito Moreno glacier became a sight of awe and concern when a block of ice some 70 meters (230 ft) tall, the size of a 20-story building, collapsed into the blue waters of Lake Argentina. Several tourists had gathered to witness the view of the glacier located in Los Glaciares National Park in the southern province of Santa Cruz, which is shrinking quickly due to global warming. Why The Breaking Off Of The Glacier Is Alarming The breaking off of the glacier, called 'calving", has been keeping glaciologists worried as Perito Moreno, for decades, has been maintaining its mass even as warmer climates spurred faster glacial melting worldwide. On the latest event, which took place on April 21, Pablo Quinteros, an official tourist guide at Los Glaciares National Park, told Reuters, 'Ice calving events of this size haven't been very common at the Perito Moreno glacier over the past 20 years… It's only in the last four to six years that we've started to see icebergs this big." Argentine glaciologist Lucas Ruiz with state science body CONICET, whose research focus is the future of Patagonian glaciers in the face of climate change, said, 'It had been in more or less the same position for the past 80 years. And that's unusual." 'However, since 2020, signs of retreat have begun to be seen in some parts of the Perito Moreno glacier's face," said Ruiz, as quoted by Reuters. He said the glacier could rebound as it has done before, but that for the moment it was losing between one and two meters of water equivalent per year, which if not reversed could lead to a situation where the loss accelerates. A 2024 state-supported report, co-authored by glaciologist Lucas Ruiz, revealed that although Perito Moreno maintained a stable mass for nearly 50 years, the most significant and long-lasting ice loss has occurred since 2015. On average, it has lost around 0.85 metres of mass per year over this recent period, the fastest rate in the past 47 years. Scientists monitoring Perito Moreno say they have detected a slight but steady increase in air temperatures in the area, approximately 0.06°C per decade. At the same time, precipitation has decreased, which means less snowfall and, therefore, less new ice forming at the glacier's top. Meanwhile, melting and calving have increased at the base. This imbalance, less accumulation above and more melting below has not only caused thinning of the glacier but has also led to its shrinking. What Do We Know About The Perito Moreno Glacier? The glacier was born in the Patagonian Continental Ice, which is the largest ice field in the world after Antarctica. It is located near the city of El Calafate in the Argentine province of Santa Cruz. The Perito Moreno originates at just 1,500 metres above sea level and the front is located at 200 metres above sea level, making it accessible to visit. It is 50 km long and descends to Lake Argentino. Its frontage is 5 km and about 60 m high above the water level. The surface of the glacier is 250 km2, a little more than the surface of the City of Buenos Aires. In 1881, the Boundary Treaty was signed between Argentina and Chile and it was determined that since it was located to the east of the Andes mountain range and its slope towards the Atlantic Ocean, the glacier remained under Argentine sovereignty. The 'White Giant' comes under the Los Glaciares National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What Is Glacial Melting? Glacial melting is the process in which lass masses of ice lose mass, turning into water due to rising temperature or changes in environmental conditions. Calving happens when ice break off from glacier's edge, forming icebergs or smaller ice fragments. The process erodes the glacier's base. Some of the causes of glacial melting include: Climate Change: Rising global temperatures, driven by greenhouse gas emissions, have increased air and water temperatures, accelerating surface and basal melting. Reduced Snowfall: Less snow accumulation in colder months fails to replenish ice lost during warmer periods. Black Carbon and Pollutants: Soot and other particles settle on glaciers, reducing their reflectivity and absorbing more heat, speeding up melting. Geographic Factors: Glaciers in warmer regions or those with unstable bedrock are more prone to rapid melting. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : glacier News18 Explains Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 19, 2025, 13:31 IST News explainers Why The Crumbling Of Argentina's Iconic Glacier Is A Cause Of Concern | Explained
Al Etihad
16-05-2025
- Science
- Al Etihad
Huge ice falls at Argentina's Perito Moreno glacier stir awe and concern
16 May 2025 23:34 PERITO MORENO GLACIER, Argentina (Reuters) The deep cracking sound bursting from within the ice signals the dramatic fall about to happen. Seconds later, a block of ice some 70 metres tall - the size of a 20-story building - collapses from the face of the Perito Moreno glacier into the aquamarine water sight has attracted visitors to Argentina's most famous glacier for years. Standing on platforms facing the ice, they wait for the next crack to split the cool Patagonian recently the size of the ice chunks breaking off - a process called "calving" - has been starting to alarm local guides and glaciologists, already anxious at a prolonged retreat by Perito Moreno, which had bucked the trend in recent decades by maintaining its mass even as warmer climates spurred faster glacial melting worldwide."Ice calving events of this size haven't been very common at the Perito Moreno glacier over the past 20 years," said Pablo Quinteros, an official tourist guide at Los Glaciares National Park in the southern province of Santa Cruz."It's only in the last four to six years that we've started to see icebergs this big," he told Reuters during a visit in face of the glacier, which flows down from Andean peaks to end in the waters of Lake Argentina, had for decades held more or less steady, some years advancing and others retreating. But in the last five years, there's been a firmer retreat."It had been in more or less the same position for the past 80 years. And that's unusual," said Argentine glaciologist Lucas Ruiz with the state science body CONICET, whose research focus is the future of Patagonian glaciers in the face of climate change."However, since 2020, signs of retreat have begun to be seen in some parts of the Perito Moreno glacier's face." He said that the glacier could rebound as it has done before, but that for the moment it was losing between one and two meters of water equivalent per year, which, if not reversed, could lead to a situation where the loss accelerates.
The Independent
16-05-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Why Argentina's surprise tourist attraction is falling apart
The deep crack echoes through the Patagonian air, a prelude to the dramatic spectacle about to unfold. Seconds later, a colossal block of ice, equivalent to a 20-story building, shears off the Perito Moreno glacier, plunging 70 meters into the turquoise water below. This breathtaking scene has drawn visitors to Argentina's iconic glacier for years, where they stand on viewing platforms, anticipating the next thunderous calving event. However, the sheer size of these recently breaking ice chunks is causing concern among local guides and glaciologists. Perito Moreno has long defied the global trend of glacial retreat, maintaining its mass despite rising global temperatures. Now, alarm bells are ringing. "Ice calving events of this size haven't been very common at the Perito Moreno glacier over the past 20 years," said Pablo Quinteros, an official tourist guide at Los Glaciares National Park in the southern province of Santa Cruz. "It's only in the last four to six years that we've started to see icebergs this big," he told Reuters during a visit in April. The face of the glacier, which flows down from Andean peaks to end in the waters of Lake Argentina, had for decades held more or less steady, some years advancing and others retreating. But in the last five years, there's been a firmer retreat. "It had been in more or less the same position for the past 80 years. And that's unusual," said Argentine glaciologist Lucas Ruiz with state science body CONICET, whose research focus is the future of Patagonian glaciers in the face of climate change. "However, since 2020, signs of retreat have begun to be seen in some parts of the Perito Moreno glacier's face." He said that the glacier could rebound as it has done before, but that for the moment it was losing between one and two meters of water equivalent per year. If not reversed, that could lead to a situation where the loss accelerates. A state-backed 2024 report, co-authored by Ruiz and presented to Argentina's Congress, showed that while Perito Moreno's mass has been overall stable for half a century, the period since 2015 has seen the fastest and most prolonged loss of mass in 47 years, on average losing 0.85 meters per year. Glaciers around the globe are disappearing faster than ever, with the last three-year period seeing the largest glacial mass loss on record, according to a UNESCO report in March. Ruiz said instruments his research team used to monitor the glacier had shown an increase in air temperature in the area of around 0.06 degrees Celsius per decade and precipitation decreasing, meaning less accumulation of snow and ice. "The thing with Perito Moreno is that it took a while, so to speak, to feel the effects of climate change," Ruiz said. Now, however, the accumulation of ice at the top of the glacier was being outpaced by melting and calving at the bottom. "The changes we are seeing today clearly show that this balance of forces... has been disrupted, and today the glacier is losing both in thickness and area." For now, the glacier remains an awe-inspiring attraction for travelers, who board boats to see the calving and the huge icebergs floating around the lake up close. "It's insane. The most incredible thing I've ever seen," said Brazilian tourist Giovanna Machado on the deck of one of the boats, which have to be careful of sudden ice falls. "Even in photos, you just can't grasp the immensity of it, and it's perfect. It's amazing. I think everyone should come here at least once in their lifetime."
Iraqi News
16-05-2025
- Climate
- Iraqi News
Huge ice falls at Argentina's Perito Moreno glacier stir awe and concern
The deep cracking sound bursting from within the ice signals the dramatic fall about to happen. Seconds later, a block of ice some 70 meters (230 ft) tall – the size of a 20-story building – collapses from the face of the Perito Moreno glacier into the aquamarine water below. The sight has attracted visitors to Argentina's most famous glacier for years. Standing on platforms facing the ice, they wait for the next crack to split the cool Patagonian air. But recently the size of the ice chunks breaking off – a process called 'calving' – has been starting to alarm local guides and glaciologists, already anxious at a prolonged retreat by Perito Moreno, which had bucked the trend in recent decades by maintaining its mass even as warmer climates spurred faster glacial melting worldwide. 'Ice calving events of this size haven't been very common at the Perito Moreno glacier over the past 20 years,' said Pablo Quinteros, an official tourist guide at Los Glaciares National Park in the southern province of Santa Cruz. 'It's only in the last four to six years that we've started to see icebergs this big,' he told Reuters during a visit in April. The face of the glacier, which flows down from Andean peaks to end in the waters of Lake Argentina, had for decades held more or less steady, some years advancing and others retreating. But in the last five years, there's been a firmer retreat. 'It had been in more or less the same position for the past 80 years. And that's unusual,' said Argentine glaciologist Lucas Ruiz with state science body CONICET, whose research focus is the future of Patagonian glaciers in the face of climate change. 'However, since 2020, signs of retreat have begun to be seen in some parts of the Perito Moreno glacier's face.' He said that the glacier could rebound as it has done before, but that for the moment it was losing between one and two meters of water equivalent per year, which if not reversed could lead to a situation where the loss accelerates. A state-backed 2024 report, co-authored by Ruiz and presented to Argentina's Congress, showed that while Perito Moreno's mass has been overall stable for half a century, the period since 2015 has seen the fastest and most prolonged loss of mass in 47 years, on average losing 0.85 meters per year. Glaciers around the globe are disappearing faster than ever, with the last three-year period seeing the largest glacial mass loss on record, according to a UNESCO report in March. 'YOU CAN'T GRASP THE IMMENSITY OF IT' Ruiz said instruments his research team used to monitor the glacier had shown an increase in air temperature in the area of around 0.06 degrees Celsius per decade and precipitation decreasing, meaning less accumulation of snow and ice. 'The thing with Perito Moreno is that it took a while, so to speak, to feel the effects of climate change,' Ruiz said. Now, however, the accumulation of ice at the top of the glacier was being outpaced by melting and calving at the bottom. 'The changes we are seeing today clearly show that this balance of forces… has been disrupted, and today the glacier is losing both in thickness and area.' For now, the glacier remains an awe-inspiring attraction for travelers, who board boats to see the calving and the huge icebergs floating around the lake up close. 'It's insane. The most incredible thing I've ever seen,' said Brazilian tourist Giovanna Machado on the deck of one of the boats, which have to be careful of sudden ice falls. 'Even in photos, you just can't grasp the immensity of it, and it's perfect. It's amazing. I think everyone should come here at least once in their lifetime.'
The Star
15-05-2025
- Science
- The Star
Huge ice falls at Argentina's Perito Moreno glacier stir awe and concern
FILE PHOTO: A block of ice melts in the Lago Argentino (Argentine Lake), in the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, near the city of El Calafate in the Patagonian province of Santa Cruz, Argentina April 22, 2025. REUTERS/Bernat Parera/File Photo PERITO MORENO GLACIER, Argentina (Reuters) -The deep cracking sound bursting from within the ice signals the dramatic fall about to happen. Seconds later, a block of ice some 70 meters (230 ft) tall - the size of a 20-story building - collapses from the face of the Perito Moreno glacier into the aquamarine water below. The sight has attracted visitors to Argentina's most famous glacier for years. Standing on platforms facing the ice, they wait for the next crack to split the cool Patagonian air. But recently the size of the ice chunks breaking off - a process called "calving" - has been starting to alarm local guides and glaciologists, already anxious at a prolonged retreat by Perito Moreno, which had bucked the trend in recent decades by maintaining its mass even as warmer climates spurred faster glacial melting worldwide. "Ice calving events of this size haven't been very common at the Perito Moreno glacier over the past 20 years," said Pablo Quinteros, an official tourist guide at Los Glaciares National Park in the southern province of Santa Cruz. "It's only in the last four to six years that we've started to see icebergs this big," he told Reuters during a visit in April. The face of the glacier, which flows down from Andean peaks to end in the waters of Lake Argentina, had for decades held more or less steady, some years advancing and others retreating. But in the last five years, there's been a firmer retreat. "It had been in more or less the same position for the past 80 years. And that's unusual," said Argentine glaciologist Lucas Ruiz with state science body CONICET, whose research focus is the future of Patagonian glaciers in the face of climate change. "However, since 2020, signs of retreat have begun to be seen in some parts of the Perito Moreno glacier's face." He said that the glacier could rebound as it has done before, but that for the moment it was losing between one and two meters of water equivalent per year, which if not reversed could lead to a situation where the loss accelerates. A state-backed 2024 report, co-authored by Ruiz and presented to Argentina's Congress, showed that while Perito Moreno's mass has been overall stable for half a century, the period since 2015 has seen the fastest and most prolonged loss of mass in 47 years, on average losing 0.85 meters per year. Glaciers around the globe are disappearing faster than ever, with the last three-year period seeing the largest glacial mass loss on record, according to a UNESCO report in March. 'YOU CAN'T GRASP THE IMMENSITY OF IT' Ruiz said instruments his research team used to monitor the glacier had shown an increase in air temperature in the area of around 0.06 degrees Celsius per decade and precipitation decreasing, meaning less accumulation of snow and ice. "The thing with Perito Moreno is that it took a while, so to speak, to feel the effects of climate change," Ruiz said. Now, however, the accumulation of ice at the top of the glacier was being outpaced by melting and calving at the bottom. "The changes we are seeing today clearly show that this balance of forces... has been disrupted, and today the glacier is losing both in thickness and area." For now, the glacier remains an awe-inspiring attraction for travelers, who board boats to see the calving and the huge icebergs floating around the lake up close. "It's insane. The most incredible thing I've ever seen," said Brazilian tourist Giovanna Machado on the deck of one of the boats, which have to be careful of sudden ice falls. "Even in photos, you just can't grasp the immensity of it, and it's perfect. It's amazing. I think everyone should come here at least once in their lifetime." (Reporting by Bernan Parera; Additional reporting by Nicolás Cortes and Juan Bustamante; Writing by Adam Jourdan; Editing by Katy Daigle and Rosalba O'Brien)
