Pico Humboldt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pico Humboldt |
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Pico Humboldt in 2008
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 4,925 m (16,158 ft) |
| Prominence | 440 m |
| Geography | |
| Location | Mérida, Venezuela |
| Parent range | Sierra Nevada, Andes |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1911 by Alfredo Jahn |
| Easiest route | Laguna del Suero |
Pico Humboldt is a majestic mountain in Venezuela. It stands tall as the country's second highest peak. This impressive mountain reaches 4,925 metres (about 16,158 feet) above sea level.
Pico Humboldt is nestled in the Sierra Nevada de Mérida mountain range. This range is part of the mighty Andes mountains in Mérida State, Venezuela. The peak is named after Alexander von Humboldt. He was a famous German explorer and scientist.
Along with its nearby peak, Pico Bonpland, Pico Humboldt is a protected area. It is part of the Sierra Nevada National Park. This park helps protect the unique high-altitude grasslands called páramos that surround the mountains.
Contents
Glaciers: A Disappearing Wonder
Pico Humboldt was once home to several large glaciers. Glaciers are huge, slow-moving rivers of ice. These glaciers were among the biggest in Venezuela. The country had only four main glaciers, with the other two found on Pico Bolívar.
Why Glaciers are Important
Glaciers are like giant ice storage units. They hold a lot of Earth's fresh water. They also play a big role in the planet's climate. Scientists study them to understand how our world is changing.
The Retreat of Humboldt's Glaciers
Sadly, the glaciers on Pico Humboldt have been shrinking very quickly. This process is called glacier retreat. It has been happening since the 1970s. By 2009, almost all of them had melted away. Only one glacier, the Humboldt Glacier, remained.
This last glacier covers a small area, about 0.1 square kilometres (0.04 square miles). Experts predict that even this last glacier will completely melt within the next decade. This is a clear sign of how much our planet's climate is changing.
See also
- In Spanish: Pico Humboldt para niños
