Geomorphological, hydrological and climatic significance of rock glaciers in the Andes of Central Chile (33-35°S)

Auteur :
BRENNING, A.

Description :
Rock glaciers in the Andes of Santiago de Chile occupy c. 10% of the total land surface between 3500 and 4250m ASL.. An estimated water equivalent of 0.3 km3 per 1000 km2 of mountain area is stored within them; this value is one order of magnitude higher than in the Swiss Alps. Climate data indicate that the lowest occurences of active rock glaciers in the Andes of Santiago are not in equilibrium with modern climate. Relict features are found as low as at 2630 m ASL, implying a depression of the mean annual air temperature of at least c. 5.5°C. South of Santiago, active rock glacier distribution ends at 35° 15'S due to lower topography, young volcanism and increased humidity.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Permafrost and periglacial processes, issn : 1045-6740, 2005, vol. 16, n°. 3, p. 231-240, nombre de pages : 10, Collation : Illustration, Références bibliographiques : 45 ref.

Date :
2005

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley