Why Is the Perito Moreno Glacier of the Color Blue?

Author: Ramiro Rodriguez
With over 25 years of experience in the travel industry, I currently work as a Sales & Marketing Manager at RipioTurismo and PeritoMorenoGlacier.com.
Perito Moreno Glacier

The beautiful blue color of the Perito Moreno Glacier is very curious. But why is it blue? Learn all about it here.

The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the great attractions of Argentine Patagonia. It is located in El Calafate, Santa Cruz province.  Once you arrive at the town, a sign welcomes visitors: “El Calafate, land of glaciers” as a prelude to discovering the natural adventure.

From the center of the city, excursions depart to Los Glaciares National Park, where the Perito Moreno, the great attraction of the destination, is located. One of the many curiosities the Perito Moreno glacier presents is the intense blue color of its giant blocks of ice. Discover the reason for its color. 

Why Is the Perito Moreno Glacier Blue?

The blue color of the Perito Moreno Glacier is because the ice absorbs six of the colors of the solar spectrum but reflects only one, and in this case, it is blue.

The Perito Moreno Glacier offers unique spectacles and can be appreciated in many ways. There are several alternatives to observe its majesty. One of them is to walk on it with guides and special equipment; take a catamaran ride on Lake Argentino, or see it from the park’s walkways.

Whichever approach you choose, you will be able to observe different shades of intense blue in its gigantic blocks of ice. Navigating among the ice blocks that break off is one of the must-see experiences of the tour.

Are There Other Glaciers of This Color?

El Calafate concentrates many glaciers to enjoy and learn about them. Each one has a special feature and undoubtedly does not cease to amaze the thousands of visitors who come every year to see the majesty of nature expressed in ice. The blue color of the glaciers is one of the most striking features shared by all of them. Just as it happens with seawater, which looks blue in large quantities, the same happens with glaciers.

Ramiro Rodriguez

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