Jamapa Glacier faces irreversible disappearance in Mexico

The Jamapa Glacier, located on Mexico’s highest peak, Pico de Orizaba, is entering a terminal stage of irreversible disappearance. Experts from institutions such as the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) warn that the glacier has lost between 1 and 7 meters of thickness, with its front retreating approximately 200 meters in less than a decade.

Due to fragmentation and thinning, the ice body may split into several smaller fragments within the next two years. This melting process is attributed to climate change, volcanic activity, and severe deforestation in the Pico de Orizaba National Park, which has reduced the environment's ability to retain water.

The disappearance poses a significant threat to water security in the Veracruz region. The glacier feeds the Jamapa River, which supports agricultural, livestock, and hydroelectric activities. Estimates suggest that the loss of the glacier could impact the water supply for hundreds of thousands to over one million people, affecting river flow, irrigation systems, and downstream ecosystems reaching the coastal areas.