[2014] Hannah Aguilar (Grade 7): Perito Moreno Glacier

Perito Moreno Glacier

by Hannah Aguilar

Where is the site located?

This World Heritage Site is located in Santa Cruz, Argentina.

Is it a natural, cultural or mixed site?

Perito Moreno Glacier is a natural site.

Why is it significant?

This natural site is significant because it is in the second largest National Park and the biggest glacier in South America.

Are there any threats to the site?

How is the site being protected?

It's a state owned unit of the National System of Protected Areas in Argentina

The only threat the glasier is fasing is the sun melting the ice and turning it into a flood.

Description of the site

Perito Moreno Glacier is in a National Park in Santa Cruz, Argentina called Los Glaciers Nationla Park. The site is considered a natural site since it was not man made.

Features of the site

It is one of the most important tourist attractions in the Argentinian Patagonia. This ice field is the world's third largest reserve of fresh water. The 250 km2 ice formation, and 30 km in length, is one of 48 glaciers fed by Sothern Patagonian ice fields located in the Andes system shared with Chile.

The nominating criteria

Los Glaciares National Park is embedded into the enchanted and remote mountain landscape of the Patagonian Andes shared by Argentina and Chile. Dominated by rugged granite peaks exceeding the landscape. About half of the large property is covered by numerous glaciers, many of which belong to South America's largest ice field.

The Significance of the site

The glacier was found by a man who was on a journey and some Native American people helped him and took care of him then after 18 years of his death they named the glacier after him.

What is the value of preserving the site?

Perito Moreno Glacier is the "8th Wonder of the World" and in addition to its beauty, it is the planet's 3rd largest reserve of fresh water and one of the continent's last advancing glaciers.