Palcacocha Lake

Lake Palcacocha sits at 4,566 meters elevation beneath the peaks of Palcaraju and Pucaranra mountains in the Ancash department of northwestern Peru.

In December 1941, a massive glacier segment fell into the lake, causing a devastating mudslide that destroyed parts of Huaraz city and resulted in 1,800 deaths.

The name originates from Quechua language, where local communities maintain traditional practices while adapting to environmental changes affecting their water resources.

The lake currently contains monitoring equipment and drainage pipes to regulate water levels, protecting downstream communities from potential flooding risks.

A resident of Huaraz initiated a legal case against a German energy company, linking their carbon emissions to the increased flooding risks at Lake Palcacocha.

Location: Ancash department

Elevation above the sea: 4,566 m

GPS coordinates: -9.39694,-77.37972

Latest update: April 14, 2025 11:38