The Andes mountain range, one of the most extensive mountain formations on the planet, impresses not only with its imposing geography but also by sheltering a natural phenomenon as rare as it is fascinating: tropical glaciers. These types of ice masses, unique for developing in warm climate zones, are in danger of disappearing due to climate change.
What is most surprising is that South America hosts 99% of these glaciers, distributed along the mountain range that crosses seven countries. Unlike polar glaciers, these form at high altitudes within tropical regions, which subject them to much more dynamic melting and accumulation processes that are sensitive to temperature variations.
Despite their location in areas where heat predominates, tropical glaciers persisted for centuries thanks to the extreme high-altitude conditions that allow for temperatures cold enough for ice formation. However, global warming has accelerated their retreat, making them a clear signal of the effects of climate change.
Quelccaya, a giant in retreat
In the heart of the Andes, in Cusco (Peru), lies the world’s largest tropical glacier: Quelccaya. Located more than 5,000 meters above sea level, this glacier extends over a vast Andean plateau. With a thickness reaching 200 meters, it was studied by institutions such as NASA due to its importance as a climate indicator.
However, the region’s low temperatures are no longer enough to preserve its structure. In recent decades, Quelccaya has shown a marked retreat. In areas where ice once predominated, lakes and streams now emerge, visible signs of the environmental impact affecting this natural wonder.
The retreat of these glaciers not only implies the loss of a geographical rarity but also a risk to the water balance of communities that depend on them for water supply. The disappearance of tropical glaciers is not just a local phenomenon but a global warning that demands urgent actions to curb global warming.
What are tropical glaciers and where are they located?
Tropical glaciers are a geographical rarity: huge permanent ice masses that form in regions near the Earth’s equator, where the climate is usually warm. Their existence is not due to latitude, as in the poles, but to altitude. For ice to persist in these areas, glaciers must be located at over 4,500 or even 5,000 meters above sea level, where temperatures remain cold enough throughout the year.
Unlike glaciers in high latitudes, which have well-defined seasons for snow accumulation and melting, tropical glaciers are subject to more variable and sensitive climatic conditions. This makes them key indicators of climate change since they respond rapidly to temperature and precipitation variations.
Regarding their location, 99% of the world’s tropical glaciers are found in the Andes mountain range, especially in countries like Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador. Peru has the highest concentration, including the imposing Quelccaya glacier. There are also some isolated examples outside of South America, such as in the mountains of East Africa (Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya) and in Papua New Guinea, although these are disappearing even more rapidly.
These glaciers are not only impressive for their formation in unexpected places but also play a crucial role as sources of freshwater for millions of people living in the highlands and Andean valleys. Their progressive loss poses a direct threat to the water security of vast regions on the continent.
