Glaciers form over many years, often centuries, and only on land, whereas icebergs float on the water. Together they hold most of the earth’s fresh waters, but many glaciers are disappearing. As the planet’s ice is rapidly melting, with glaciologists predicting that some of the world’s glaciers will be entirely gone within the next two to three decades, now is the time to see these especially breathtaking glaciers before they’re gone. Pictured above, the Perito Moreno Glacier sits within the heart of the Patagonian glacial region near Los Glaciares National Park. Here you can witness vast chunks of ice breaking away from the 19-mile-long glacier as they plunge into Lake Argentino below.
If you can get there anytime soon, you can get a glimpse of it here:
Vatnajokull Glacier, Iceland
Photo Credit: Andreas Tille via wikimedia
Vatna Glacier, or Vatnajokull as it’s officially known, covers nearly 8 percent of Iceland . Europe’s largest glacier, it soars over 6,500 feet and covers 3,100 square miles. The glacier is surrounded by Jokulsarlon, a stunning lake with icebergs strewn across it. There are some 40 outlet glaciers that spill from high ridges on its south side, and with all but one receding, now is the time to see just how Iceland got its name.
