Photo Essay

Photo Essay: The Melting Glaciers Releasing Heavy Metals

High in Peru’s Andes, communities and scientists are racing against time to mitigate one more calamity wrought by climate change.

By Nicolas Villaume |

July 15, 2025

An ice cave at 16,000 feet above sea level, photographed in 2021, extends over Pastoruri Glacier Lake in the Cordillera Blanca range of the Andes. The giant cave has since disappeared.

Photo Essay: The Melting Glaciers Releasing Heavy Metals

High in Peru’s Andes, communities and scientists are racing against time to mitigate one more calamity wrought by climate change.

Americas Quarterly (AQ) is the premier publication on politics, business, and culture in Latin America. We are an independent publication of the Americas Society/Council of the Americas, based in New York City. All Rights Reserved