Scientists predict most of NZ Tasman glacier gone within 20 years
Updated
Scientists believe most of New Zealand's largest glacier will disappear within the next 20 years.
The Tasman glacier is 730 metres above sea level and temperatures have become too warm to sustain the ice.
Our New Zealand correspondent, Kerri Ritchie, reports the Tasman glacier is around 2 million years old and is in the Mount Cook National Park.
In the 1970's it was 29 kilometres long and there wasn't any water around it.
Now, tourists can take a boat cruise around a large lake at the front of the glacier.
Glaciologist Martin Brook says each year the Tasman is retreating by around half a kilometre.
"There will always be, I suppose, a few kilometres of it, but it's going to disappear a hell of a lot more, if you're into boating, or water sports, or things like that, then you've got a nice lake forming.
He expects the lake will double in size to about 16 kilometres in length.
