Perito Moreno Glacier

Perito Moreno glacier is a thick mass of ice that flows into Lake Argentino in the province of Santa Cruz, in southwestern Argentina in the Patagonia region.

Opposite Magallanes Peninsula, to the south of los glaciares National Park, it is about 80 km from the El Calafate village where to there is an international airport. El Calafate, 320 km northwest of the capital of the province, Rio is Gallegos located in an area surrounded by forests and mountains, within The National Park, in the Province of Santa Cruz in southern Argentina. This park of 724 000 ha, has a total of 356 glaciers.

The last rupture was first produced on March 2, 2012, when arm Rico was 5.6 m. Alone sea; level the one before last rupture, which began on July 4 and ended on July 9, 2008 was just two years after the previous(March 2006). However, the 2004 rupture occurred after 16 years (February 1988), when the difference in water level between the channel of the icebergs and the arm Rico reached 30 m. Tourists can enjoy this show just 400 away in especially created facilities for observation.
Previously the glacier broke in 1984, 1980, 1977, 1975, 1972, 1970, 1966, 1963, 1960, 1956, 1953, 1951 (in winter), 1947, 1940, 1934, 1917. Thus, these ruptures happen,on average, every five years.
It is also possible to walk on it, with special shoes (crampons) and whit especially trained guides.
Perito Moreno glacier slides forward, about 2 m per day, about 700 m per year.

For the spectacular view it offers, the glacier Perito Moreno is considered the eighth wonder of the world.
The mass of ice surrounded by endless forests and mountains is a spectacle that few want to miss. This place is, along with Puerto Madryn (Chubut) and Iguazu (Misiones), one of the most visited sites in the country by foreigners and tourism in Argentina.
You can get to the glacier on land or sailing trips. If you come in your own can you must travel approximately 80 km along Route 15 from El Calafate, an hour and a half trip.
Perito Moreno is one of the many glaciers found in the National Park Los Glaciares.That protects the Patagonian Ice Cap one of the greatest fresh water reserves in the world.  90% of the world's freshwater is found in the glacial areas and after Antarctica and Greenland, is this region of Argentina. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and forests of beech and ñires, the ice covers about 195 km2.

                                                                                                                                       Giuliana Miranda