Spectacular Patagonian glacier arch collapse

Patagonia's Perito Moreno glacier, known as the White Giant, put on a rarely seen spectacular display as the arch of glacier cave (L) in Los Glaciares National Park in Patagonia, Argentina collapsed and crashed into the water on March 10, 2016. The river of ice 30 km (18 miles) long with 250 km2 (155 miles2) ice formation is one of 47 glaciers fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field located in the Andes mountain range and one of Argentina's main tourist attractions.

The glacier sheds ice approximately every four years. The park, a World Heritage site, contains one of the largest continental ice extensions after Antarctica.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Ice starts to fall from the wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier in southwest Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, on March 9, 2016.

The Perito Moreno is one of 47 large glaciers fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field located in the Andes mountain range. There are an additional 200 smaller glaciers unconnected to the Ice Caps.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Ice cracks from the wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier on March 10, 2016. The glaciers in the park are at a lower level above seal level than the rest of the world's glaciers, allowing for an easier view.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Ice falls from the arch of the Perito Moreno Glacier located at Los Glaciares National Park, southwest Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, on March 10, 2016.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Ice hits the water from the arch of the Perito Moreno Glacier on March 10, 2016.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Ice cracks from the wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier on March 10, 2016.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Two huge chunks of ice crack and tumble from the walls of the arch of the Perito Moreno Glacier on March 10, 2016.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Ice spectacularly crashes into the water from the arch of Perito Moreno Glacier at Los Glaciares National Park on March 10, 2016.

The most recent rupture was in March 2012 and the one before that was in 2008. The one in 2012 happened at dawn. This one began at 10.56 am allowing more than 4,000 tourists to witness the event.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Ice cracks from the wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier on March 10, 2016.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Ice cracks from the wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier on March 10, 2016.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Ice tumbles into the water off the Perito Moreno Glacier on March 10, 2016.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Ice appears suspended from the arch as it plunges into the water from the Perito Moreno Glacier on March 10, 2016.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Wisps of ice cracks off the Perito Moreno Glacier located on March 10, 2016.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Ice continues to fall from the wall of the Perito Moreno Glacier on March 10, 2016.

Perito Moreno Glacier

The ice arch finally completely cracks and crashes in Los Glaciares National Park in southwest Santa Cruz Province, Argentina, on March 10, 2016.

Perito Moreno Glacier

The last part of the ice arch falls into the water from the Perito Moreno Glacier on March 10, 2016.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Nothing remains of the ice arch after huge masses of ice broke off the Perito Moreno Glacier on March 10, 2016.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Sequence of images of the collapse of ice from the Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glacieres National Park, Argentina, on March 10, 2016.