Experts warn Argentina’s Laguna Torre glacier lake could become a “water bomb,” leaving El Chaltén just 45 minutes to evacuate

A landslide near Argentina’s Laguna Torre could unleash a sudden flood toward El Chaltén, leaving the southern town as little as 45 minutes to evacuate. Experts describe the glacial lake as a potential “water bomb.”

El Chaltén lies in Santa Cruz province, about 10 kilometers from the lake, inside the Los Glaciares National Park. The area attracts large numbers of visitors each day. The danger centers on the northern slope of Cerro Solo, which has shown signs of instability for years.

Mariana Correas González, a researcher at the IANIGLA-CONICET institute, said melting ice had exposed mountain slopes once supported by thick ice, increasing the risk of landslides. If a large volume of rock and soil fell into Laguna Torre, it could generate a major wave, breach the natural moraine dam, and drive water, rocks, sediment, and trees rapidly into the valley.

The resulting event would be a glacial lake outburst flood, a phenomenon that has caused serious damage in high mountain regions. Experts said the risk was not merely theoretical. The University of Buenos Aires recorded five flash floods in the Blanco River basin, including events at Piedras Blancas Lake in 1913 and Sucia Lake between 1966 and 1968.

Monitoring remains limited. Geologist Daniela Schmidt of the University of Buenos Aires said the area is mainly observed by satellite images every three to four days. A landslide between observations might therefore go undetected in time. Recent measurements also showed that cracks on the mountain slope shifted over one year by a total amount equal to the movement recorded during the previous seven years.

A major slide could send floodwater across trails and campsites and directly toward the only bridge leading into El Chaltén. A gas station, power plant, and medical center near the river are also in the potential impact area. Ahead of the summer, when visitor numbers rise, the town council has requested a comprehensive evacuation plan.

Correas González proposed an early-warning system using sensors to track water levels and flow speed, combined with live-feed cameras to detect changes on the slope. Experts said authorities must assign responsibilities clearly, while residents and visitors need to know evacuation routes, safe areas, and how to respond. With a flood that could form and move within minutes, they said a clear plan could determine whether people in El Chaltén can reach safety.

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Water bomb