Newsletter July 2008

In the heart of the Argentine Patagonia lies the miraculous Perito Moreno Glacier, a candidate for the New 7 Wonders of Nature and one of Argentina’s top tourist attractions. The mammoth glacier, spanning over 100 square miles and reaching heights of almost 200 feet above sea level, is one of many found within the confines of Los Glaciers National Park. The world’s third largest freshwater reserve, Perito Moreno was first spotted in 1879 and assumed many names. However, in 1899 the ice giant finally received its official title from Francisco Pascacio Moreno, the Argentine environmentalist and expert (perito) who devoted his life to the study of the Patagonia.

A still-growing glacier, the Perito Moreno dams up a substantial amount of water over Lago Argentino. The process creates a great amount of pressure causing the eventual crack of the glacier in an impressive spectacle. The cycle is unpredictable and in years past has ranged anywhere from once a year to once a decade.

On July 9, 2008, Perito Moreno once again experienced a rare rupture. A massive tunnel was created through the glacier by water that was let in on Friday the 4th; the remaining arch was expected to cave in the following Monday. This year’s collapse was an especially rare event because it occurred during the winter, when temperatures are usually too low for glaciers to break. The last time that the incredible ice structure ruptured during the winter was in 1951 as a result of La Niña. Unlike years past, tourists did not gather by the thousands to appreciate the remarkable natural phenomenon because of the unexpected timing of the event. Only a small and primarily local crowd gathered to witness the spectacular ice crash.

"It was like an explosion. Everything shook. It was stirring, rousing," a woman who witnessed the event said on television.
"I was overjoyed. I didn't know what to do. I screamed and clapped like a crazy person, and I think I even cried," she exclaimed.

Click here to watch the video.

If you are interested in seeing the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier and more of Argentina for yourself, take a look at our tour to El Calafate and our Special Tour Packages to Argentina.

Source:

Wikipedia.org
Lupacorp.com
Earthtimes.org
UK.news.yahoo.com

PAST NEWSLETTERS:

• Newsletter June 2008
• Newsletter May 2008
• Newsletter April 2008
• Newsletter February 2008
• Newsletter January 2008