One of the most popular tourist sites in the "Laguna San Rafael" National Park in Chile, the "Exploradores Glacier River," has been permanently closed. The "Exploradores Glacier River," which has long been a tourist destination for thousands of travelers due to its stunning views, was closed after hydrologists found that the glacier became suddenly unstable and dangerous. Consequently, the Chilean National Forest Corporation, responsible for natural parks, has indefinitely prohibited mountain hikers and local guides from visiting this Patagonian gem.
In a message to tourists, the forest administration stated: "There is uncertainty regarding the behavior of the glacier, which poses a risk to tourists. Rising temperatures in the area are causing the ice to melt, making it fragile and unstable, and a massive piece of ice has calved from the main 'Exploradores' mass. Fortunately, no one was harmed. However, the authorities do not want to take any further risks. The glacier has served the people and will now be 'at rest' until it completely melts."
Nevertheless, tourists still have a few decades left to enjoy this veteran glacier from a distance, knowing that "Laguna San Rafael" Park receives more than 20,000 visitors each year. Scientists say that "if global temperatures continue to rise, two-thirds of the glaciers in the world will completely disappear by the end of this century. This will lead to a sea level rise similar to the biblical flood, forcing millions of people to move from coastal areas to inland regions."
