See the exact point where a glacier, a lake and a river ‘touch’ in Argentina — Earth from space
QUICK FACTS
Where is he? Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina [-50.469690266, -73.03391046]
What’s in the photo? The meeting point of a glacier that does not recede, a turquoise lake and a murky river
Who took the photo? An anonymous astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS)
When was it taken? March 2, 2021
This incredible astronaut photo shows the unusual point where a towering, unretreating glacier, a pristine turquoise lake and a murky green “river” converge perfectly at the intersection of three valleys in Argentina.
The trio of hydrological formations – the Perito Moreno Glacier, Lago Argentino and Brazo Rico – lie at the heart of Los Glaciares National Parkwhich covers an area of approximately 2,300 square miles (6,000 square kilometers) in the Santa Cruz province of southern Argentina, near the country’s border with Chile.
The aerial photo not only shows these three watery features in one frame; if you look closely, it also reveals the point where the trio touches in a thin channel along the western edge of the Magallanes Peninsula – the rocky outcropping that lies between the lake and the river, according to NASA Earth Observatory.
In this photo, the waters of Lago Argentino and Brazo Rico are probably in direct contact with each other (as in the photo below). But their waters do not mix easily because they have different densities, due to their respective concentrations of suspended particles, according to a study. Study 2022.
But every four to five years, the tongue of the glacier protrudes, colliding with the Magallanes Peninsula and temporarily blocking the Brazo Rico. When this happens, the surface of the cloudy water mass rises up to 30 meters until a build-up of pressure causes the ice dam to dramatically “break,” according to the Earth Observatory. previously reported.
Perito Moreno is the largest glacier in the Patagoniawhich includes parts of Argentina and Chile. It is approximately 30 km long with ice up to 200 feet (60 m) thick. In total, the glacier holds about the same amount of water as 360,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools, according to back-of-the-envelope calculations.
The glacier is “non-retreating,” meaning it is not shrinking despite rising atmospheric temperatures caused by human activity. climate change. This is extremely rare these days, and Perito Moreno is frequently cited as one of the “last great glaciers in the world that are not retreating.” However, a recent study suggests that it could finally start to decline.
Lago Argentino is the largest freshwater lake in Argentina, covering a total area of approximately 550 square miles (1,425 square km). The section visible in the astronaut’s photo is the southernmost arm of the lake. It contains glacial meltwater filled with rock particles released by the constant movements of glaciers, collectively known as “glacier milk”, which give the water its vibrant turquoise color.
The northernmost arm of the lake is also connected to the Upsala Glacier, which is currently in full retreat.
Brazo Rico, meaning “rich arm” in Spanish, is also technically part of Lago Argentino. However, it has become increasingly isolated from the rest of the lake due to repeated damming by the Perito Moreno Glacier, causing it to behave more like a river than part of a lake.
Frequent icy obstructions are also responsible for the Brazo Rico’s bland color, which is the result of sediment dislodged by its movements. The continuous rise and fall of the river’s surface has also carved out a boundary on its banks where no trees can grow.
Eagle-eyed onlookers may also have spotted the narrow road that winds through the Magallanes Peninsula and along the northern edge of the Brazo Rico (just above the tree line): one can only imagine the extraordinary views you would have the opportunity to experience while driving there.
For more incredible satellite photos and astronaut images, check out our Earth seen from space archives.
