The Importance of Debris Glaciers in Debris Glaciers in the Geomorphological and Hydrological Systems of the Santiago Mountain Range: Fundamentals and First Results

Authors

  • ALEXANDER BRENNING Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Keywords:

Rubble’s glaciers, permafrost, periglacial

Abstract

The rock glaciers of the Andes of Santiago de Chile are unsuspicious, but important water resources and play a key role within the debris transport system of this semiarid high mountain area. The significance of these bodies of debris and ice within the geomorphologic and hydrologic system is shown in the case of the Casa de Piedra valley. This subcatchment of the Yeso river is situated very close to the El Yeso reservoir, which is of outstanding importance for the drinking water supply to Santiago. In the Casa de Piedra valley, recent sporadic permafrost in the form of active rock glaciers reaches down to 3000 m a.s.l. Between 3500 and 3800 m a.s.l., active rock glaciers occupy even 16% of the total debris-covered area and represent the predominant landform. Therefore discontinuous mountain permafrost has to be assumed above 3500 m a.s.l. In the study area, debris rock glaciers are observed as well as morrainic rock glaciers, the latter in lower altitudes in the neighborhood of dead ice bodies and the corresponding end morraines. The transition to the nival zone takes place around 3800 m a.s.l. at the recent equilibrium line of glaciers. In the Casa de Piedra valley, more frozen water is stored in active rock glaciers than in “true” glaciers. This situation may be assumed to be representative of many of the small catchments in the Andes of Santiago with elevations below approx. 5000 m a.s.l.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

ALEXANDER BRENNING, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Geographisches Institut

References

ABELE, G. Derrumbes de montaña y morrenas en los Andes chilenos. Revista de Geografía Norte Grande, 1984, N° 11, pp 17–30.
ARENSON, L., HOELZLE M. y SPRINGMAN, S. Borehole deformation measurements and internal structure of some rock glaciers in Switzerland. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, 2002, n° 13, pp 117-135.
BARSCH, D. Active rock glaciers as indicators for discontinuous alpine permafrost. An example from the Swiss Alps. Proc. Third Intl. Conf. on Permafrost, 1978, Vol. 1, pp 349–353.
BARSCH, D. Probleme der Abgrenzung der periglazialen Höhenstufe in semi-ariden Hochgebirgen am Beispiel der Mendozinischen Anden. Argentinien: Geoökodynamik, 1986, n° 7, pp 215–228.
BARSCH, D. Rockglaciers. IN CLARK, M. Advances in Periglacial Geomorphology. John Wiley & Sons, 1988, pp. 69–90.
BARSCH, D. Rockglaciers. Springer, Berlin: 1996, 331 p.
BOLCH, T. y SCHRÖDER, H. Geomorphologische Kartierung und Diversitätsbestimmung der Periglazialformen am Cerro Sillajhuay (Chile/Bolivien). Erlanger Geogr. Arbeiten, 2001, Sonderband 28.
BUCHENAUER, H. W. Gletscher- und Blockgletschergeschichte der westlichen Schobergruppe (Osttirol). Marburger Geogr. Schriften, 1990, 117, 376 pp.
CLAYTON, L. Karst topography on stagnant glaciers. J. Glaciology, 1964, N° 5, pp. 107– 112.
CONTRERAS, A. y ILLANES, J. L. Depósito de lastre glaciar Infiernillo Sur Mina Los Bronces. 43a Convención del Instituto de Ingenieros de Minas de Chile. La Serena, octubre, 1992, 18 pp.
CORTE, A. E. The hydrological significance of rock glaciers. J. Glaciology, 1976, N° 17, pp. 157-158.
CORTE, A. E. Rock glaciers as permafrost bodies with a debris cover a an active layer. A hydrological approach. Andes of Mendoza, Argentine. Third Intl. Conf. on Permafrost, NRC. Ottawa: 1978, pp. 262–269.
ESCOBAR, F. et al. Balance de masa en el glaciar Echaurren Norte 1975 a 1992: resultados preliminares. Santiago: Informe técnico, D.G.A., 1995.
EVIN, M. Glaciers et glaciers rocheux sur le versant nord-est du Viso (Alpes Cottiennes, Italie). Rev. Géomorph. Dynamique: 1991, N° 40, pp. 131–147.
HAEBERLI, W. Creep of mountain permafrost: internal structure and flow of alpine rock glaciers. Mitt. d. Versuchsanstalt f. Wasserbau, Hydrologie und Glaziologie, 1985, N° 77, 142 pp.
KNEISEL, C. Et al. Legende für geomorphologische Kartierungen in Hochgebirgen (GMK Hochgebirge). Trierer Geogr. Studien: 1998, N° 18.
KOKAREV, A. Et al. Die Blockgletscher im Sailijskij Alatau des Tienschan (Kasachstan). Hallesches Jahrb. Geowiss: 1997, N° 19, pp. 81– 94.
MARANGUNIC, C. Inventario de glaciares, hoya del río Maipo. Santiago: D.G.A.. 1979.
SCHROTT, L. The hydrological significance of high mountain permafrost and its relation to solar radiation. A case study in the high Andes of San Juan, Argentina. Bamberger Geogr. Schriften, 1998, N° 15, pp. 71–84.
TROMBOTTO, D. et al. Monitoring of mountain permafrost in the Central Andes, Cordón del Plata. Permafrost and Periglacial Processes., 1997, N° 8, pp. 123-129.
TROMBOTTO, D., Et al. Rock glaciers in the Southern Central Andes (approx. 33°-34°S), Cordillera Frontal. Bamberger Geogr. Schriften., 1999, N° 19, pp. 145-173.
TROMBOTTO, D. Survey of cryogenic processes, periglacial forms and permafrost conditions in South America. Rev. do Instituto Geológico, São Paulo: 2000, N° 21 (1/2), pp. 33-55.

How to Cite

BRENNING, A. (2021). The Importance of Debris Glaciers in Debris Glaciers in the Geomorphological and Hydrological Systems of the Santiago Mountain Range: Fundamentals and First Results. Revista De Geografía Norte Grande, (30), 7–22. Retrieved from https://revistaaisthesis.uc.cl/index.php/RGNG/article/view/42865

Issue

Section

Artículos