Marinelli Glacier, Tidewater glacier in Alberto de Agostini National Park, Chile
Marinelli Glacier is a large ice field flowing from the Cordillera Darwin down to Ainsworth Bay, where it meets the ocean in Tierra del Fuego. The glacier features deep crevasses and broken ice formations where it approaches the water, creating a dramatic meeting point between mountain ice and seawater.
The glacier formed during past ice ages that shaped the region thousands of years ago and has been shrinking steadily since scientific measurements began. The ice retreat reflects broader climate shifts affecting the southernmost reaches of South America.
The glacier forms part of the diverse natural heritage within Alberto de Agostini National Park, connecting the mountains to the maritime environment.
Access is typically by helicopter from Punta Arenas, though landings and viewing trips depend entirely on weather conditions. Plan for changeable conditions and allow extra time for possible delays or rescheduling.
The glacier continuously feeds Ainsworth Bay with fresh water and glacial sediment, giving the bay water a distinctive milky-blue color. This nutrient-rich flow supports a specialized ecosystem found nowhere else in the region.
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