Seeking for Mountain Permafrost in Northern Patagonia Andes (42°S), First Results and Implications

LUCAS RUIZ; DARIO TROMBOTTO LIAUDAT

Tenth International Conference on Permafrost

The Northern Publisher

Lugar: Salekhard; Año: 2012; p. 365 - 370

An important debate generated by new federal regulation in Argentina, places mountain permafrost distribution and the potential of ground ice for water storage at the center of the scene. The main problem is related to the lack of field data on a regional scale. With the aim of solving this problem, in the Precordillera of Chubut, Argentina, a statistical model of mountain permafrost distribution based on measured BTS (Bottom Temperature of Snow cover) was presented. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to reproduce BTS distribution with elevation and potential short-wave radiation as independent variables. A threshold classification was then applied to BTS distribution in order to discriminate between probable, possible and no possible permafrost zones. The model results suggest that mountain permafrost may exist, and is related to high- elevation, south-facing slopes or highly cast shadow zones. Although the model was statistically significant, it is necessary to confirm the presence of permafrost by ground validation.