Quelccaya Ice Cap

The Quelccaya Ice Cap, also known by the name Quenamari Ice Cap, is recognized as the second-largest glaciated area situated within the tropics, surpassed only by Coropuna. This significant ice formation is located in the Cordillera Oriental section of the Andes mountains in southern Peru.

Geography and Size

The ice cap covers an extensive area of approximately 42.8 square kilometers, with ice depths reaching up to 200 meters. It is characterized by imposing ice cliffs surrounding it and is fed by several outlet glaciers, the most prominent of which is the Qori Kalis Glacier. The landscape around Quelccaya is diverse, featuring lakes, moraines, peat bogs, and wetlands, and it supports a rich variety of flora and fauna, including birds that nest directly on the ice.

Climate Archive and Water Source

Quelccaya holds immense scientific importance due to its role as a critical archive of past climate conditions. In 1983, researchers obtained ice cores from the central area of the ice cap, which were the first of their kind recovered outside of the polar regions. Analysis of these cores has provided detailed reconstructions of past climate states, including evidence of the Little Ice Age, periods of regional drought and significant wet spells, and past and recent El Niño events. Furthermore, the ice cap serves as a vital source of water, with its meltwater eventually flowing into the Inambari and Vilcanota Rivers, contributing to the regional water supply.

Historical Extent and Current State

Historically, the Quelccaya Ice Cap was considerably larger, merging with neighboring glaciers during the Pleistocene epoch and experiencing a secondary expansion during periods of climate anomaly. Following a period of shrinkage at the beginning of the Holocene, a neoglacial expansion occurred around 5,000 years ago. After reaching a highstand during the Little Ice Age, Quelccaya has been experiencing a significant retreat, largely attributed to human-caused climate change. This retreat has led to the emergence of new terrain occupied by life and lakes, some of which pose flood risks if they breach. Climate projections suggest that without substantial climate change mitigation efforts, Quelccaya could vanish within the 21st or 22nd century.

Accessibility and Designation

The Quelccaya Ice Cap is situated in a remote area. The nearest road is approximately 40 kilometers away, and reaching the ice cap from there can take up to three days using pack animals. Despite its remoteness, it is recognized for its ecological and scientific value and, since 2020, has been part of the Área de Conservación Regional Ausangate, a protected area.