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Overview of Glaciers in Peru

Glaciers in Peru

Peru is home to a diverse array of glaciers, a testament to its rugged mountainous terrain and climatic variations. The Andes, running the length of the country, house numerous glaciers that have been essential in understanding regional climate patterns and hydrology. There are approximately 1,500 glaciers in Peru, although this number fluctuates due to ongoing glacial retreat. These glaciers are crucial sources of water for the country's rivers and agriculture, impacting millions of people.

Named and Notable Peru Glaciers

Some of the most notable glaciers in Peru include the Huascarán Glacier, the Quelccaya Ice Cap, and the Alpamayo Glacier. The Huascarán Glacier, located in the Huascarán mountain range, is part of the largest tropical ice cap in the world. The Quelccaya Ice Cap is the largest tropical glacier and is significant for its contribution to paleoclimate research. Alpamayo, renowned for its stunning appearance, is often cited as one of the most beautiful peaks in the world.

Types of Glaciers in Peru

Peru's glaciers can be classified into several types based on their formation and location:

Valley Glaciers: These glaciers form in mountain valleys and flow down valleys, resembling rivers of ice. They are typically confined within valleys and have a streamlined shape. The Huascarán Glacier is an example of a valley glacier.
Cirque Glaciers: Located in mountain cirques (amphitheater-like valleys), these glaciers are typically small and confined. They often serve as the source of larger valley glaciers.
Ice Fields: Ice fields are extensive, unconfined ice masses that spread over a large area. The Quelccaya Ice Cap is a prime example, covering approximately 44 square kilometers.
Piedmont Glaciers: These glaciers occur when a valley glacier spills out onto a flatter area, spreading out and forming a broad, lobe-shaped ice mass.
Tidewater Glaciers: These glaciers terminate in the sea, but Peru's glaciers are primarily land-based and do not exhibit this type.
Continental Ice Sheets: Although not present in Peru, continental ice sheets are massive ice masses covering large land areas, such as those found in Antarctica and Greenland.

Glacier Structure and Terminology

Glaciers have complex structures and components, each serving a specific role in their dynamics:

Zone of Accumulation: The upper part of the glacier where snow accumulates and turns into ice.
Zone of Ablation: The lower part of the glacier where ice loss occurs through melting, sublimation, or calving.
Equilibrium Line: The boundary between the zone of accumulation and the zone of ablation.
Cirque: A bowl-shaped depression where a glacier originates.
Moraines: Accumulations of glacial debris. Types include terminal moraines (at the glacier's end), lateral moraines (along the sides), and medial moraines (formed from the junction of two glaciers).
Crevasses: Large cracks in the glacier surface caused by differential movement.
Seracs: Large blocks of ice formed in crevasses.
Ice Falls: Areas where a glacier flows over a steep section, creating a dramatic cascade of ice.

Age and Retreat of Glaciers

Glacier ice can be dated by its stratigraphy, weight, and color. Older ice is typically denser and darker due to compression and recrystallization. In Peru, glaciers have been accumulating ice for tens of thousands of years, but their age varies widely. Glaciers have been receding significantly over the past few decades due to climate change. Some glaciers have lost up to 50% of their mass since the 1970s.

Impact of Climate Change

Climate change has led to the rapid retreat of Peruvian glaciers, with many shrinking by several meters each year. The Quelccaya Ice Cap, for instance, has significantly reduced in size, impacting water resources and local climates. The exact number of glaciers lost is difficult to quantify but is substantial. Research indicates that many glaciers could disappear within the next few decades if current trends continue.

Historical Relics and Research

Melting glaciers have occasionally revealed historical artifacts, such as ancient mummies and tools. These finds provide valuable insights into past human activities and cultures. Climate research on Peruvian glaciers includes studies on ice cores to reconstruct past climates and understand current climatic trends.

Peru Recreational Activities and Climbing

Peru's glaciers offer opportunities for various recreational activities, including skiing and climbing. Skiing is available at sites like the Huascarán Ski Resort, although it is less developed compared to other countries. Climbing is popular in regions like Huascarán and Alpamayo, attracting climbers from around the world. Several climbing companies offer guided tours and expeditions to these glaciers, providing both amateur and experienced climbers with opportunities to explore the icy terrain.

In summary, Peru's glaciers are diverse and vital to the country's ecosystem and water resources. Their current state is a reflection of both their historical significance and the impacts of ongoing climate change. Understanding these glaciers helps in preserving their heritage and managing their resources effectively.

The Biggest Named Glaciers in Peru

Copap Glacier, 13.76 Sq Km

Copa Glacier, 10.57 Sq Km

Jentane Glacier, 10.36 Sq Km

Tullparaj0 Glacier, 9.81 Sq Km

Pucaranra Glacier, 9.39 Sq Km

Yerupaja Glacier, 9.36 Sq Km

Kinzl Glacier, 9.09 Sq Km

Ninaparaco Glacier, 8.91 Sq Km

Coropuna Glacier, 8.3 Sq Km

Coropuna Glacier, 8.17 Sq Km

Schneider Glacier, 8.1 Sq Km

Rajupakinan Glacier, 7.87 Sq Km

Angostura Glacier, 7.83 Sq Km

Shallap Glacier, 7.56 Sq Km

Osjollo Anante Glacier, 7.51 Sq Km

Cuncapata Glacier, 7.44 Sq Km

Alcarinayoc Glacier, 7.29 Sq Km

Palliash Glacier, 7.26 Sq Km

Ananta Glacier, 7.17 Sq Km

Raymondi 3 Glacier, 7.03 Sq Km

Sora¬A¬O Glacier, 6.71 Sq Km

Rurichinchey Glacier, 6.59 Sq Km

Coropuna Glacier, 6.53 Sq Km

Palcaraju Glacier, 6.43 Sq Km

Ni¬O Orjo Glacier, 6.4 Sq Km

Raymondi Glacier, 6.33 Sq Km

Hecondoynioc Glacier, 6.14 Sq Km

Artesonraju Glacier, 5.97 Sq Km

Jentane Glacier, 5.86 Sq Km

Collquecruz Glacier, 5.58 Sq Km

Jurao Glacier, 5.56 Sq Km

Osjollo Ananta Glacier, 5.51 Sq Km

Wallunaraju Glacier, 5.5 Sq Km

Sullcon Glacier, 5.43 Sq Km

Yanarangra Glacier, 5.41 Sq Km

Huandoy Glacier, 5.39 Sq Km

Caballume Glacier, 5.33 Sq Km

Siula Este Glacier, 5.29 Sq Km

Japupunta Glacier, 5.25 Sq Km

Alpamayo Glacier, 5.18 Sq Km

Arhuey Glacier, 5.16 Sq Km

Quellcaya Glacier, 5.1 Sq Km

Peru Glacier Database Field Descriptions

PHOTO_YEAR
Description: The 4-digit year of the photograph used for measurements of Peru glacier parameters. Note: If more than one photograph were used, the most relevant year is recorded here; and the others used are recorded in the REMARKS field. In general, the Peru glaciers outlines; and hence, the values for area and length; were determined from Peru aerial photographs, so we recommend using the PHOTO_YEAR for glacier area values.
No Data Value: Null
Example: 1976

MAX_ELEV
Description: Maximum elevation of the highest point of the Peru glacier in meters above sea level, up to 4 digits.
No Data Value: Null
Example: 3962

MEAN_ELEV
Description: The mean elevation is the altitude of the contour line, in meters above sea level, that halves the area of the glacier, up to 4 digits.
No Data Value: Null
Example: 3170

MIN_ELEV
Description: The minimum elevation of the lowest point of the glacier in meters above sea level, up to 4 digits.
No Data Value: Null
Example: 1590

FORM
0 Miscellaneous Any type not listed below.
1 Compound Basins Two or more individual valley glaciers issuing from tributary valleys and coalescing.
2 Compound Basin Two or more individual accumulation basins feeding one glacier system.
3 Simple Basin Single accumulation area.
4 Cirque Occupies a separate, rounded, steep-walled recess which has formed on a mountain side.
5 Niche Small glacier in a V-shaped gully or depression on a mountain slope; generally more common than genetically further-developed cirque glacier.
6 Crater Occurring in extinct or dormant volcanic craters.
7 Ice Apron Irregular, usually thin ice mass which adheres to mountain slopes or ridges.
8 Group A number of similar ice masses occurring in close proximity to one another but are too small to be assessed individually.
9 Remnant Inactive, usually small ice masses left by a receding Peru glacier.

FRONT_PROF:
0 Miscellaneous Any type not listed below.
1 Piedmont Ice field formed on a lowland area by lateral expansion of one or coalescence of several glaciers.
2 Expanded Foot Lobe or fan formed where the lower portion of the glacier leaves the confining wall of a valley and extends on to a less restricted and more level surface.
3 Lobed Part of an ice sheet or ice cap, disqualified as an outlet glacier.
4 Calving Terminus of a glacier sufficiently extending into sea or lake water to produce icebergs; includes- for this inventory- dry land ice calving which would be recognizable from the "lowest glacier elevation."
5 Confluent Coalescing, non-contributing.
6 Irregular, mainly clean ice (mountain or valley glaciers).
7 Irregular, mainly debris-covered (mountain or valley glaciers).
8 Single lobe, mainly clean ice (mountain or valley glaciers).
9 Single lobe, mainly debris-covered (mountain or valley glaciers).

SRC_NOURSH: 0 Unknown
1 Snow
2 Avalanches
3 Superimposed ice

TONGUE_ACT: 0 Uncertain
1 Marked retreat
2 Slight retreat
3 Stationary
4 Slight advance
5 Marked advance
6 Possible surge
7 Known surge
8 Oscillating

TOTAL_AREA:
The total area of the glacier in a horizontal projection in square kilometers.

AREA_ACY:
Area Accuracy Ratings
Rating Accuracy (%)
1 0 - 5
2 5 - 10
3 10 - 15
4 15 - 30
5 > 30

AREA_IN_ST:
The total area of the Peru glacier that resides in the political state concerned in a horizontal projection in square kilometers.

AREA_EXP:
The area of the exposed ice of the glacier in a horizontal projection in square kilometers.

MEAN_WIDTH:
The mean width of the Peru glacier in a horizontal projection in kilometers.

MEAN_LENGT:
Mean length of the Peru glacier in a horizontal projection in kilometers.

MAX_LENGTH:
Maximum length of the Peru glacier in kilometers measured along the most important flowline in a horizontal projection.

MAX_LEN_EX:
Maximum length, in kilometers, of the exposed ice of the glacier in a horizontal projection.

MAX_LEN_AB:
Maximum length, in kilometers, of the ablation area of the Peru glacier in a horizontal projection.