| Created in 1937, Los Glaciares National Park is located in southern Patagonia, near the border of Chile. This protected zone, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981, contains 47 glaciers that originated from the continental glacial covering of Patagonia, the largest in the world after Antarctica and Greenland. With a frontal width of 2.5 miles (4 km) and a height of 147 feet (60 m), Perito Moreno extends for 32 miles (52 km) and moves along one of the arms of Lake Argentino, dragging rock debris torn from the banks in its wake, which erodes and shapes the landscape. Periodically, at the confluence of the two arms of the lake, the glacier interrupts the water’s flow. The growing pressure of the water against the ice barrier ends up breaking it, producing an explosion that can be heard from several miles away. This phenomenon occurred sixteen times during the 20th century, and once again in March 2004. Glaciers and ice caps make up 9 percent of the Earth’s land surface. Global warming may melt the ice, raising the level of the oceans by an average of 50 cm (20 inches) before the end of the 21st century and drowning the fertile shore areas. |
.&title2=Perito Moreno Glacier, Santa Cruz, Argentina (50°31’S, 73°06’W).&title3=GLACIAR PERITO MORENO, Santa Cruz, Argentina. (50°27’S - 73°10’O). "download in wallpaper")
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