Perito Moreno ruptures during wintertime for the first time since 1917, but
scientists caution against linking the rupture to global climate change.

EL CALAFATE, ARGENTINA (JULY 06, 2008) CH13 -
For the first time since 1917, the Perito Moreno glacier in the
southern Argentine region of Patagonia is collapsing during wintertime. The
rupture that began on July 4th is the first registered since March, 2006.
    Located a few kilometers from the tourist city El Calafate, in the
Santa Cruz Province, the Perito Moreno glacier that is part of the Magallanes
peninsula is one of the 47 glaciers that extends over the Southern Arm of Lake
Argentina. 
    "I would really like it if more people were able to enjoy what we
in El Calafate live with, and the truth is that it really would be great if
more people from Argentina were able to come to enjoy this," a female
Santa Cruz resident said.
    Along with the last rupture in 2006, the prior two, in 1988 and 2004,
occurred during February and March, summer months in Argentina.
    "This is unique because ruptures never occur during this time of
year. The ruptures occur during the months of March and April, when the
temperature is not as low as it is now."
    Despite the temptation to link the unusual occurrence to global climate
change, several Argentine scientists insist that the rupture has more to do
with the particular alignment of the Perito Moreno glacier and the surrounding
land. Climate change as a cause is all the less likely as an explanation,
given that the Perito Merino glacier happens to be the only major Argentine
glacier that still maintains a mass balance between water gained and lost
throughout the year's seasonal changes, even as more climatically affected
glaciers aren't experiencing wintertime ruptures to the same degree.
    The Perito Moreno glacier is 3 km wide, extends roughly 200 cubic
kilometers below the sea, and measures on average 70 meters above the level of
the Lake Argentina in which it's located.