WELCOME TO
THIS BLOG POST!
AN INTERESTING AND COLORFUL FLOWER FOR MY READERS
THIS IS THE NOTRO, AN INDIGENOUS PLANT!
Click to enlarge
Source: Javier Martin, CC BY SA 3.0. Wikimedia Commons
Source: Liam Quinn, CC BY SA 2.0. Wikimedia Commons
THE PATAGONIAN ICE FIELDS.
A NOTRO TREE, GROWING NEAR THE GREY GLACIER
Click to enlarge
Source: Liam Quinn, CC BY SA 2.0. Wikimedia Commons
THE PATAGONIAN ICE FIELDS.
Chile is a
country of contrasts. The Far North Region is a desert, the Far South Region
(Chile Austral), shows remnants of an ice age with the presence of some impressive
Ice Fields.
At present,
geographers define the Patagonian Ice fields as remnants of the Patagonian Ice
sheet, which covered all of southern Chile during the last glacial period or
Quaternary glaciation, which in this area receives the name of Llanquihue glaciation.
There is a Northern
Patagonian Ice Field, which is the smaller of the two remaining parts of the
Ice sheet, and a Southern Patagonian Ice Field, which is the world’s second
largest field.
These two
Ice Fields feed many glaciers, some of which are mostly contained within the
boundaries of Argentina, and many of which flow towards the western area of the
Andes, on the Chilean side.
From the 16th
to the 19th century, several areas of the world went through what is
known as the Little Ice Age, which certainly affected Europe, and also appears
to have had its effects on the Patagonian Area of the Far South of Chile.
During this period, the glaciers reached their largest extension, but sadly
have been shrinking ever since.
In recent
years, this shrinkage has been accelerating due to global warming, and is causing
concern because these are an important part of the planet’s reserves of fresh
water, and also because they are a factor in the rising sea levels.
The
Northern Patagonian Ice Field is contained within the boundaries of the Laguna
San Rafael National Park, and is therefore a protected area.
Some of the
more important glaciers in this park are the following: Colonia, Nef, San
Quintin and San Rafael. The most famous is the San Rafael, which flows into the
San Rafael Lagoon.
MAP OF THE NORTH ICE FIELD
Click to enlarge
Source: NASA, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
The Southern Ice Fields are protected in part by the Bernardo O’Higgins National Park and the Torres de Paine National Park. These are administrated by Chile.
The Southern Ice Fields are protected in part by the Bernardo O’Higgins National Park and the Torres de Paine National Park. These are administrated by Chile.
There is
another park on the Argentinean side, called Los Glaciares National Park.
Some of the
important Chilean glaciers in the Southern Fields are: Amalia, Bernardo, Grey,
Jorge Montt and O’Higgins. Most of these flow into the fjords of the Patagonian
channels of the Pacific Ocean.
PART OF THE SOUTH ICE FIELD, SEEN BY NASA
Click to enlarge
Source: NASA, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
This is a particularly clear photo of the glacier formation, well with a look!
VIEWS OF SOME OF THE GLACIERS.
SAN RAFAEL
An important
glacier in the Northern Patagonian Ice Field, it can be seen on the map that
follows. The San Rafael Lagoon is visited by thousands of tourists who travel
there mostly on the Skorpios ships, a tourist line set up specifically for this
purpose.
The
highlight of the tour is to drink “whisky on the rocks” with real ice taken
from the glacier.
LAGOON AND GLACIER AT SAN RAFAEL
Click to enlarge
Source: Ralf Peck, CC BY 2.0. Wikimedia Commons
THE SAN RAFAEL LAGOON
Click to enlarge
Source: Vincent Hueng, CC BY 2.0. Wikimedia Commons
SAN RAFAEL ICEBERG
Click to enlarge
Source: Vince Hueng, CC BY 2.0. Flickr
GREY GLACIER
This one is
famous for its connection to the Torres de Paine, a wonder of the world, also a
Chilean national reserved area.
Thousands
of international tourists visit these wonderful locations every year.
A SUPERB VIEW BY NASA OF THE GREY GLACIER!
Click to enlarge
Source: NASA, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Source: Dimitry B. CC BY 2.0. Flickr
JORGE MONTT GLACIER
ICEBERGS AT GREY GLACIER
Click to enlarge
JORGE MONTT GLACIER
Another
famous glacier in the Southern Fields. Unfortunately, its fame is based on the
fact that it is the one that shows the fastest rate of shrinkage to date. How
sad!
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JORGE MONTT GLACIER, AN IMPRESSIVE VIEW!
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Click to enlarge
Source: NASA, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
O’HIGGINS GLACIER
O’HIGGINS GLACIER
It is one
of the largest in Chilean Patagonia, and flows towards the O’Higgins Lake.
A REALLY BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF THE O'HIGGINS GLACIER!
Click to enlarge
Source: Roberto Araya B., CC BY SA 3.0. Wikimedia Commons
FINAL WORDS
Tourism in
these areas has only started up a few years ago, so most of these scenes are
still practically virgin territory.
The climate
is harsh, but the scenic views are well worth the effort! So, happy visiting!
SPANISH
VERSION
(This Blog is bilingual)
En este post presento una de las zonas menos conocidas de
Chile, esto es, Chile Austral.
Se distinguen principalmente los llamados Campos de Hielo, a
saber: Campos de Hielo Norte y Campos de Hielo Sur.
En ambos sectores se destacan numerosos glaciares o ventisqueros,
los cuales lamentablemente están sufriendo el embate del calentamiento global.
En efecto, desde el siglo 20 han empezado a retroceder
notoriamente, siendo el que más intensamente presenta este fenómeno, el
Ventisquero Jorge Montt, ubicado en los Campos de Hielo Sur.
Este fenómeno es preocupante, por cuanto esta área es una de
las importantes reservas de agua dulce del planeta, y además, el rápido
deshielo está influyendo en el aumento de los niveles de los océanos. Es de
esperar que este fenómeno se pueda detener de alguna manera.
En el post se establece que los Campos de Hielo, tanto
el Norte como el Sur, se ubican al
interior de áreas reservadas estructuradas como Parques Nacionales. Esto
indudablemente ayuda a su preservación.
Una parte importante de este post lo constituyen las
imágenes seleccionadas con el fin de mostrar la grandiosidad de estos
panoramas. Las imágenes hablan por si solas, y no es necesario detallar estos
elementos en la traducción al Español.
Espero que disfruten de este post!
More about similar topics in a future post. Más sobre temas similares en un próximo post.
How is your level of comprehension? ¿Cómo
está su nivel de comprensión?
© 2013 jveronr
(Joan Robertson)
I will be very happy to receive your comments! Just
click the word “comments” lower down.
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