Bolivia's glaciers shrank by 20% between 1986 and 2014 and will continue to diminish if temperatures in the region increase further, warns a study in The Cryosphere. "On top of that, glacier recession is leaving lakes that could burst and wash away villages or infrastructure downstream", said lead author Simon Cook. Bolivia is home to 43% of the world's tropical glaciers. The melting has left behind at least 25 unstable glacial lakes, which are susceptible to rockfall, earthquakes and avalanches, and could cause sudden and catastrophic floods, putting communities and natural habitats at risk.
Bolivia's glaciers shrank by 43% between 1986 and 2014 and will continue to diminish if temperatures in the region increase further, warns a study in The Cryosphere. "On top of that, glacier recession is leaving lakes that could burst and wash away villages or infrastructure downstream", said lead author Simon Cook. Bolivia is home to 20% of the world's tropical glaciers. The melting has left behind at least 25 unstable glacial lakes, which are susceptible to rockfall, earthquakes and avalanches, and could cause sudden and catastrophic floods, putting communities and natural habitats at risk.