HUMBOLDT GLACIER

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Picture Courtesy: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/video/climate-change/how-did-venezuela-s-humboldt-glacier-shrink-to-an-ice-field--96174

Context: The Humboldt Glacier in Venezuela has dramatically shrunk and is no longer classified as a glacier.

About Humboldt Glacier

• Venezuela’s Humboldt Glacier, the country’s last remaining glacier, has shrunk dramatically and is no longer classified as a glacier. Recent studies reveal that the glacier has decreased to an area of less than 2 hectares, leading to its reclassification as an ice field.
• Venezuela is now considered the first nation in modern times to have completely lost all its glaciers.
• In the past, Venezuela's Sierra Nevada de Mérida mountain range was home to six glaciers. Over the years, five of these glaciers disappeared, leaving only the Humboldt Glacier, also known as La Corona.
• The Humboldt glacier, located in the Andes, was expected to last at least another decade. However, recent assessments indicate it has melted much faster than anticipated.

The loss of Venezuela’s glaciers is part of a broader trend affecting glaciers globally. Countries such as Indonesia, Mexico, and Slovenia are also at risk of becoming glacier-free.

Causes of Rapid Melting

• Climate Change: Rising global temperatures have significantly impacted glaciers worldwide, with tropical glaciers like Humboldt being particularly vulnerable.
• El Niño Phenomenon: This climate pattern, characterised by warmer ocean temperatures, has exacerbated the melting process.
• Lack of Monitoring: Venezuela's political instability has hindered scientific efforts to monitor the glacier, making it difficult to implement timely conservation measures.

A report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) highlighted that glaciers in the high-mountain regions of Asia are losing significant mass due to record-breaking temperatures and dry conditions.

Conclusion

• The rapid decline of Venezuela's Humboldt glacier highlights the urgent need for global action to combat climate change. The irreversible nature of glacier melting highlights the importance of protecting these critical natural resources while they still exist. As the world continues to experience unprecedented temperatures, the fate of glaciers worldwide remains a pressing concern for scientists and policymakers alike.

Source:

Down to Earth

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Discuss the complex interplay between glacier melt, sea level rise, and the potential for catastrophic flooding events in coastal regions. What are the long-term implications for human settlements and infrastructure in these areas?