El Calafate in Argentina (AP) – squeaking, thunderous roaring, then plunge: Argentina’s Perito Moreno glacier calfs several times a day, as hundreds of visitors will be nervous to see how it will break and capture the moments on the screen.
The activity is called “calving”, which is normal. The celebration of March 21 was announced by the United Nations General Assembly in 2022 to promote glacier conservation, a key source of drinking water.
The summer attracts visitors, with views just 500 metres (1,600 feet) from Perito Moreno, with panoramic views of the Andes glaciers. Many also embarked on guided hikes, wearing crampons and helmets to explore the rolling terrain of the glaciers and run through centuries-old deep blue cracks.
Marcia Fortuna, 46, from Santa Fe, Argentina, recently explored the region’s glaciers, visiting Upsala and Spegazzini. “It’s tiring, but worth it,” she said.
Although there is no clear study that shows significant changes in Perito Moreno, experienced guides such as Pacheco report a visible decline in glacial ice. The glacier’s famous ice dam was last established in 2018 when the ice pushed toward the Magaran Peninsula, temporarily blocking part of the lake before eventually collapsed.
When the glacier breaks, it creates a stunning natural scene that is described by National Geographic as a “thunderous, slow-motion drama” as huge ice towers pour into the water and radiate waves on the lake.
According to UNESCO, glaciers are the “fragile mirror” of climate change, reflecting the rise in global temperatures through its retreat and loss of ice. The group warns that unless greenhouse gas emissions are contained, half of the world’s glaciers could disappear in 2100, threatening freshwater supplies and ecosystems.
The United Nations warns that glaciers around the world are melting faster than ever. It designated March 21 as World Glacier Day, highlighting their critical role in freshwater supply and promoting conservation efforts.
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