Retreating glaciers are a growing problem globally due to the influence of global warming. The melting ice of glaciers are expected to significantly cause the seas to rise by the end of the century, resulting in disappearing shorelines and the aforementioned glaciers themselves, amongst other problems. While all glaciers on the planet are in jeopardy, some are feeling the impacts more strongly than others.
One such glacier is the Patagonian Jorge Montt Glacier in Chile. Hundreds of other Patagonian glaciers are also retreating, largely since the 1800s. However, melting has drastically increased in the last three decades. Such is the case for the Jorge Montt, which is also said to be impacted due to being partially located in a fjord. Fjords are valleys containing bodies of water formed by retreating, melting glaciers, many formed thousands of years ago.
The Jorge Montt is said to be one of the fastest retreating glaciers globally, receding approximately one-half mile every year. Global warming is playing a major role alongside it also not being a land-locked glacier, such as a mountain glacier. Jorge Montt is retreating at a rate ten times greater than the land-locked glaciers of South America.
There is a growing fear that many global glaciers will disappear by the end of the century. While this has not yet been determined, many scientists believe that Patagonian glaciers may be more secure than other areas due to snowfall. However, if global warming begins impacting snowfall and precipitation levels in general, the situation may change.
In addition to the impact of global warming, the Jorge Montt glacier also appears to have an unusual foe as well, a thief. Chilean officials are currently charging a man with stealing ice from the retreating Jorge Montt. 11,000 pounds of ice were found to have been stolen in order to use it for designer ice cubes. The man is currently being charged for theft but will likely face environmental crime charges as well as national heritage charges.
