Pastoruri Glacier, Glacier in Cordillera Blanca range, Peru
Pastoruri Glacier sits in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range at about 5,250 m (17,220 ft) elevation in the southern section, covering a significant expanse of ice and snow. Surrounding the ice field are meltwater lakes and steep rocky terrain that changes with the seasons.
The glacier formed over many centuries through the accumulation of snow at high altitude in this mountain range. Beginning in the early 2000s, it has shrunk noticeably, losing a significant portion of its former size and volume.
Local glaciologist Benjamin Morales Arnao conducted experiments using sawdust layers to preserve the ice volume, demonstrating limited success in maintaining glacier mass.
A walking trail leads up from Huaraz and requires moderate fitness to complete. Tour operators in the city offer guided day trips that bring visitors to the terminal lake situated below the ice field.
As the ice has retreated, rocks containing iron-rich minerals have become exposed, creating ponds with reddish water. These ponds support bacteria that thrive in acidic conditions and produce striking colors through their chemical activity.
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