Known as one of the few still advancing glaciers on Earth, Perito Moreno is also one of the most unique tourist destinations you can find.

Located in Las Glacieras National Park, Argentina, Perito Moreno is a 250 square kilometers glacier, 30 kilometers long, 5 kilometers wide and 80 meters high above the water. It was named after the Argentine explorer, Francisco Moreno, who played a great role in securing Argentina’s territory in the conflict with Chile regarding the international border issue. Ironically, Moreno, never even saw the incredible ice-formation that bears his name today.

Constantly supplied by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field of the Andes, where the snow and ice never melt, Perito Moreno advances into the Argentine Lake (Lago Argentino) separating it into two halves. This eventually leads to an incredible event that makes this place the most popular tourist attraction in all of Argentine Patagonia. As it advances further and further into the lake, at some point the glacier becomes a damn.

With no place to left to flow, the waters start to push against the ice and sometimes rise 30 meters above normal level. The enormous pressure eventually causes the ice to rupture, creating an amazing spectacle. The ruptures first began in 1917 and since than they have occurred between once a year and less than one every ten years. Scientist say that no matter how much people around the world wished these memorable events could be predicted, so they could witness them first-hand, such a feat is virtually impossible.

Only few people are lucky enough to be present when Perito Moreno ruptures under the pressure created by the waters of the Argentine Lake, but that doesn’t mean the ones that travel here the rest of the time are disappointed. Heavy pieces of ice break off of the glacier every few minutes and tumble into the water with a roar, and people can watch from the observational platforms set up in the area.

For those that want to see Perito Moreno up-close, there are boat tours that offer spectacular views. They never get to close though, because you never know when a several tons heavy chunk of ice can break, but it’s close enough to hear the entire ice-formation groan and creak.

Unfortunately, Perito Moreno may become another victim of global warming, scientists warn. For the first time ever, the last rupture occurred during the Southern Hemisphere winter, on July 8^th 2008. Until now, this only happened sometime during the summer, from September till May. Only 40 people were present when a 50 meters long ice wall collapsed with tremendous noise. Fortunately millions more can watch the recording on the internet.

Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5