Colonia Glacier, Valley glacier in Northern Patagonian Ice Field, Chile
The Colonia Glacier extends across 437 square kilometers, flowing from an ice plateau north of Cerro Arenales toward its terminus near Colonia Lake.
In the 1950s, the drainage of Lake Arco caused substantial flooding along the Baker River, affecting local cattle farming and riverside communities.
The Colonia Glacier serves as a natural laboratory for scientists studying glacial behavior, climate patterns, and environmental changes in Patagonian ice fields.
Visitors access the glacier through the Aysen Glacier Trail, starting from Balmaceda Airport and requiring a four-hour drive to Puerto Bertrand.
The glacier forms natural dams for two lakes, including Cachet II, which experiences regular complete drainage events within 24 hours through glacial wall perforations.
Location: Aysén Region
Elevation above the sea: 1,970 m
GPS coordinates: -47.19111,-73.30083
Latest update: March 13, 2025 18:32
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San Quintín Glacier
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Calluqueo Glacier
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