Topic: Andes Mountains

Scientists on hunt for climate-change clues explore rare tropical glacier

A team of scientists is climbing Indonesia's tropical glacier, Puncak Jaya, to dig out ice cores and study them for past patterns of climate change. They will also study samples from China, Peru, and Kenya.

Opinion: How oil spills like BP's can reshape politics, from the Amazon to America

Like oil pollution in Ecuador and California years ago, the BP Gulf catastrophe could – and should – lead to profound political change across America.

Search narrows for Air France Flight 447 black boxes

Based on a new analysis of sonar "pings," French investigators are focusing attention on a smaller area of the Atlantic to continue the hunt for the black boxes that could reveal why the Air France Flight 447 crashed last June.

Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano is nothing to 'Angry Sister' Katla

Every time in recorded history that Eyjafjallajökull volcano has erupted, the much larger Katla volcano has also erupted. Scientists are watching Katla carefully.

Was LA earthquake a precursor to the 'Big One'?

The 4.4 magnitude LA earthquake rattled the city Tuesday morning. Experts say it is impossible to tell whether small quakes are a sign that other bigger ones may follow.

Glacier melting a key clue to tracking climate change

Glaciers now occupy the center stage in the debate over causes and impacts of climate change.

Chile earthquake, Hawaii tsunami: Why this happens

The earthquake in Chile is a reminder of the lively geological activity under Earth's surface.

Eco-philanthropists to the rescue of wildlife?

Former CEOs lead a pack of eco-philanthropists who are bankrolling parks to conserve pristine land and wildlife.

In far Patagonia

A photographer explores the lush, unspoiled land at the tip of South America.

Peru farmers drop cocaine in favor of cocoa

Tapping into a niche market for organic cocoa, some Peruvian farmers have turned away from cocaine in favor of growing beans for high-end chocolate retailers in Europe and the US.

Tourists in Peru rescued from Machu Picchu

About 400 Americans and 700 Argentines were among some 2,000 travelers stranded after mudslides cut off train service from Machu Picchu, the mountaintop Incan ruin. US authorities sent four helicopters to bolster rescue efforts.

Latin America's surprise rising economic star: Peru

Peru's growth rate – 9.8 percent – was one of the fastest last year. It's poised to break with neighbors Bolivia, Venezuela, and Ecuador with its center-left but pro-business governments.

New face of religion in Latin America

Evangelicalism sweeps through churches, leading some to say that Latin America is emerging as the new center of Christianity.

The Edible Explorer: ancient All-Blue potatoes

Chávez: We're buying Russian tanks

Venezuela's president announced he would seek dozens of the vehicles in response to the 'threat' posed by a pending US-Colombia military deal.

Possible US-Colombia military deal raises regional tensions

Venezuela and Ecuador have strongly condemned the pending agreement, which would allow the US to use three bases for counternarcotics and counterinsurgency surveillance.

Search for Air France black boxes expected to continue

Locator signals from Flight 447's black boxes may fade after June 30, but investigators are likely to keep looking anyway.