A group of American experts published the results of a study in which scientists tried to find out which of the settlements is in the greatest danger of flooding or the possibility of other disaster as a result of melting glaciers.
Huaraz city (Peru)
The report indicates that the city of Huaraz, located in Peru, is most at risk. It is reported that the population of the city is approximately one hundred and twenty thousand people. According to scientists, the glacier located in the immediate vicinity of the settlement is melting rather quickly.
The reason for this is the gradual warming of the climate and the pollution of the surrounding atmosphere. In addition, it turned out that the city's water supply is also carried out using glacial waters.
The researchers argue that if the rate of melting of the glacier does not decrease, in the near future this could lead to very sad consequences. Moreover, it is not the water itself that poses a particular danger to the population of the city, but a mixture of earth and water, which begins to descend from the glacier under the weight of melt water. The name of such a phenomenon even appeared in the language of the local population - "glof".
If the melting of the glacier does not stop, the city will face disaster soon enough.
Promotional video:
Peruvian glaciers are melting at a catastrophic rate
Over the past few years, the area of high mountain glaciers in Peru has decreased by more than 40%. Despite urgent measures taken by the government, the melting of glaciers continues to this day.
The most difficult situation is observed in one of the regions of the Andes, where there are several hundred glaciers. Many of them are no more than 1 sq. Km in area. The situation that has arisen forces glaciologists to closely study the slightest changes in the relief. All that specialists can offer so far is to equip glaciers with special sensors that register all changes in surface and air temperatures.
The disappearing Pastoruri Glacier in Huascaran National Park in Peru
Glaciers are located in such a way that sooner or later their descent is inevitable - the mountain slopes are almost sheer. At the slightest fluctuation of the earth's crust, the glacier becomes unstable, and heavy rains can cause erosion of the surface of the ice mass.
In places of some tourist routes there are stands with large photographs on which you can see what glaciers were like a few years ago.
Melting glaciers can pose a huge threat to those living below. So far, the largest natural disaster happened in 1970, when a glacier descended as a result of an earthquake killed more than 20 thousand people.
In total, Peru has more than two and a half thousand glaciers, which are located in mountain ranges. In addition to being a threat, glaciers are an important source of fresh water for many Peruvians.