A new scientific study focuses on and alerts about the retreat of the Perito Moreno Glacier. This emblem of Argentinian Patagonia has been undergoing the fastest retreat in the last hundred years since 2019.
According to the analysis carried out by scientists from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, an acceleration in the ice speed near the glacier’s front has been detected.
Concerns about the retreat of the Perito Moreno Glacier: what the study says
The Perito Moreno Glacier and the warning signs.
For almost two decades, between 2000 and 2019, the descent rate at its front was only 0.34 meters per year. However, in the period 2019-2024, this figure soared to 5.5 meters per year, accompanied by an increase in the ice speed near the front area.
These figures come from a study published in the journal Nature. The researchers point out that the glacier is beginning to detach from a subglacial crest that acted as an anchor point, accelerating its destabilization.
This retreat is driven by buoyancy forces and subaqueous melting in the deepest areas of Lake Argentino.
A turning point for the Perito Moreno Glacier
The detachment of the glacier from its rocky substrate marks a drastic change in its behavior, showing that climate change can generate visible impacts in a few years, even in systems considered stable.
Photographs taken since 2020 show a slow but persistent separation from its physical base, a phenomenon associated with the so-called climatic “lag” effect, where ecosystems take time to reflect the accumulated deterioration.
Details
The study used cutting-edge technology to confirm this retreat:
-
Airborne radar, to measure the ice thickness.
-
Lake sonar, to analyze the submerged base of the glacier.
-
Satellite images, to monitor changes from space.
This combination of techniques allowed for precise data beyond visual observation.
The critical situation of glaciers in the world.
Why does this retreat matter?
Although the Perito Moreno Glacier does not directly contribute to sea level rise —as it is not on the continental shelf—, its accelerated loss serves as a warning about the fate of other glaciers in areas like Antarctica or Greenland.
Its retreat raises three major concerns:
-
Natural and cultural heritage: it is part of the Patagonian identity and the collective imagination of Argentina.
-
Economic impact: it is a key tourist attraction for El Calafate and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
-
Safety and ecosystems: glaciers regulate water flows and their collapse can trigger avalanches or mudflows.
Projections and future scenarios
Models anticipate three “retreat stages”, with a risk of extreme acceleration if the glacier loses the support of the subglacial crest completely. A retreat towards a retrograde slope is expected, which could lead to massive ice loss.
Future stability will depend on snow accumulation in high areas and the surface mass balance in the coming years.
The Perito Moreno Glacier is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important natural icons of Argentina. Its retreat is a warning signal that reinforces the need for constant monitoring, more ambitious climate policies, and global actions to reduce the impact of climate change.
