Calafate, Argentina, offers the opportunity for you to see one of Earth’s greatest, most beautiful and unusual natural wonders. Just outside of the urban area of Calafate looms the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier, also known as “The White Giant.”

Perito Mereno is unique for a number of reasons. One of the primary and most obvious reasons is its sheer size. The glacier is one of the largest among both of the Glacier National Parks in South America. Its walls stand towering over 40 meters, or 200 feet high. Width-wise, the glacier reaches a distance of 5 kilometers, or over 3 miles.

With the height of a 15-story building and an expanse that reaches as far as the eye can see in either direction, it is easy to imagine why the sheer size of the ice is so imposing. Even with a panoramic photograph, it is difficult to capture how massive it is.

One of the other aspects that makes the glacier unique and significant is its position within Patagonia. Patagonia is a large region that takes up a good portion of Southern Argentina. This area features amazing coastal wildlife, such as guanacos, ostriches, and foxes.

And the views of the Andes mountains, which separate Argentina from Chile, are unreal. It is said that the lakes and mountains within this region are undoubtedly some of the most beautiful in all of the world.

Scientifically speaking, the Perito Moreno is distinct because for many years it has been the only glacier in the world that is in a state of equilibrium, neither advancing nor retreating. This means that for a very long time the ice has been advancing at the same rate at which it is melting, and breaking off and falling into Lago Argentino, or Lake Argentina.

Given its state, however, this does not mean that the glacier is not evolving and changing. One of the natural occurrences on the glacier is called calving. Calving is when huge chunks of ice break off of the glacier and make a tremendous splash and thunderous noise as they tumble into the lake below.

One amazing occurrence that draws tourists and spectators from all over the world is when ice bridges within the glacier collapse and crumble into the lake. These bridges are built naturally within the glacier when water behind the glacier rises and, seeking equilibrium, tunnels beneath the ice.

Slowly, the warmer lake waters carve a giant tunnel through the glacier, leaving just a narrow ice bridge on top. Eventually, these bridges become unstable and collapse, creating giant plumes of mist and spray as they tumble into the water. Scientists are able to predict when this may occur, which is why they draw a crowd. Most recently, bridge collapses occurred in 2004, 2006, and 2008.

It really is an overwhelming and amazing sight. You can witness it here in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbQjukRmLSg

While visiting Perito Moreno, don’t miss your chance to get up close and personal with the gorgeous, icy landscape. You can trek right out onto the ice itself with an experienced tour guide, special shoe covers called crampons, and thick gloves to protect your hands from the rough, and sometimes even sharp edged, ice below you.

It is a surreal and unforgettable experience to trek along a glacier, essentially a frozen moving river that is made of the purest water on earth. Amazing!

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