Spatial distribution of rock glaciers in the semi-arid Andes of Argentina

LOTHAR SCHROTT; JAN HENRIK BLÖTHE; JOACHIM GÖTZ; CHRISTIAN HALLA; DARIO TROMBOTTO

Congreso; AGU; 2016

International of Geodetical and Geophysical Union

Preliminary results of the regional spatial distribution indicate that the spatial density of rock glaciers increases towards the south, concomitant with a twofold increase in mean annual precipitation. Rock glacier density peaks in the area of the Aconcagua massif, while precipitation is further increasing towards the south. Simultaneously, the lower altitudinal limit of intact rock glaciers slightly decreases, with the lowest rock glacier toe positions in the northern study area located at 3800 m a. s. l., while in the Aconcagua massif, toe positions reach down to 3500 m a.s.l. Furthermore, intact rock glaciers (309 km2) cover significantly more surface areas than ice glaciers (240 km2), and as debris-covered glaciers (104 km2), indicating their potential importance as water storage bodies.