‘It’s all melting’: Venezuela is on a verge of total glacier collapse due to global warming
Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Venezuela Facing Loss of Glaciers
Venezuela is on the brink of becoming the first nation in modern history to lose all its glaciers, according to reports from the BBC.
The Last Remaining Glacier
The International Cryosphere Climate Initiative (ICC) announced on X (formerly Twitter) that Venezuela’s only remaining glacier, the Humboldt, or La Corona, in the Andes, is now “too small to be classed as a glacier.”
Credit : X@extremetemps
Historical Loss
Venezuela has already lost at least six other glaciers in the last century, and the Humboldt Glacier has been dramatically shrinking, from 450 hectares to just two, according to Venezuelan scientists.
Glaciers Defined
Glaciers are large masses of ice formed from snow accumulation over centuries, typically found where temperatures reach near-freezing levels and winter precipitation accumulates significantly.
Failure in Glacier Maintenance
The Humboldt Glacier’s shrinkage is attributed to a continuous process of erosion that has been ongoing for years, causing the loss of snow accumulation from the previous winter.
Impact of Climate Change
With rising global temperatures due to climate change, the melting of large ice masses contributes to sea level rise worldwide. Glaciers across the globe are shrinking at alarming rates.
Anomalies in Glacial Survival
The Humboldt Glacier’s prolonged existence at 4,800 meters is considered a climatic anomaly, as glaciers below 5,000 meters in the intertropical zones have been disappearing rapidly.
Opportunities for Study
While the loss of the Humboldt Glacier signifies the end of a glacial cycle, it also presents an opportunity for further study and investigation into the environmental changes occurring in the area.
Global Phenomenon
The disappearance of glaciers, including the Humboldt, highlights the urgent need for action to mitigate the impacts of climate change and preserve Earth’s natural landscapes.