Northern Patagonian Icefield in the Andes Mountains

Today’s Image of the Day from NASA Earth Observatory features the southern Andes Mountains of Argentina. In the brilliant white Northern Patagonian Icefield, temperatures are cold enough year-round that permanent ice persists.

According to NASA, the icefield was significantly larger about 18,000 years ago, during the coldest phase of the last Ice Age, and covered an enormous area. The present ice still covers about 60 miles.

NASA notes that two of the biggest glaciers flowing off the icefield, San Rafael and San Quintín, are prominent features on the Pacific side of the icefield. However, north of these glaciers have been retreating in recent years due to rising temperatures.

Image Credit: NASA Earth Observatory 

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By Chrissy Sexton, Earth.com Staff Writer