Abstract

FALASCHI, Daniel et al. 2000-2011 geodetic mass balance of the glaciers in the Atuel catchment, Central Andes of Mendoza (Argentina). Geoacta [online]. 2017, vol.42, n.2, pp.7-22. ISSN 1852-7744.

Although the Andes are one of the longest mountain ranges hosting large ice masses in the world, there are still vast areas of the cordillera where the trends in glacier changes are poorly known. The present study provides the first elevation, mass and volume change estimations for 198 glaciers (90.74 km²) in the río Atuel catchment in the Andes of Mendoza, Argentina, during the 2000-2011 period. By means of the geodetic mass balance method (differencing of the SRTM and ALOS PRISM) we estimated an overall elevation change of -0.24 ±0.31 m yr^-1. This value equals an ice volume change of -0.022 ±0.028 km³ yr^-1 and a mass loss of -0.20 ±0.26 m w.e. yr^-1. This regional trend of slight glacier thinning is lower than previous mass balance records in the Central and Southern Patagonian Andes. The glacier surface elevation change maps allowed for the identification of the Portezuelo de Las Leñas massive collapse.

Keywords : Geodetic mass balance; Atuel catchment; Centrales Andes of Argentina.

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