Peru Loses Over Half of Its Glaciers in Six Decades

Climate change leads to extinction of 175 glaciers between 2016 and 2020, posing increased risks to lowland areas and significantly reducing the country's water reserves.

Peru has lost more than half of its glacier surface in the last six decades, with 175 glaciers becoming extinct due to climate change between 2016 and 2020.
The country now has 1,050 square kilometers of glacial coverage left, representing about 44% of what was recorded in 1962.
Some mountain ranges in Peru, such as Chila, have almost lost all their glaciers, with Chila losing 99% of its glacial surface since 1962.
The loss of glaciers increases risks for those living in lowland areas, as seen in 1970 when a huge sheet of ice broke off after a 7.9 magnitude earthquake, causing a mud avalanche that destroyed the city of Yungay and left more than 20,000 dead.
Nearly 20 million Peruvians benefit directly or indirectly from the water that comes down from the glaciers, meaning the country has lost more than half of its water reserves.