CONICET | Buscador de Institutos y Recursos Humanos

The Southern Patagonian Icefield is the most important glacial cover of the South American Continent, not only for its contribution to the sea mean level, but also for its significance as a fresh water source and reserve. Ice Surface Temperature is one of the most important parameters to estimate climate change effects over glaciers, as it is an integral part of radiation budget and mass balance. Since MODIS sensor appearance, it is possible to monitoring the Ice Surface Temperature of any glacial surface day by day. The aims of the present study are to analyze the space-time dynamic of Southern Patagonian Icefield Ice Surface Temperature, and to rebuild the melting cycle during 2000?2017. In this work, more than 12,258 MOD11A1scenes have been used, being this study the most solid Ice surface temperature space-time series in the Southern Patagonia ice field. .Among main results, it has been highlighted the annual Ice Surface Temperature and melt area surface cycles. Results showed a monthly mean temperature maximum about 0°C at the end of December beginning of January, and a minimum of about -11°C in July Considering the whole Southern Patagonian Icefield surface, temporal evolution showed no significant patterns of warming or cooling. Although, the results did reported locally changes. In respect of the spatial distribution, the highest peaks showed the absolute minimum temperatures surpassing -36°C during the cold season of 2009. Whereas, the big outlet glaciers terminus showed maximums temperatures higher than 0°C during warm seasons. These results reveal a combination of supraglacial runoff and presence of morainic material. Finally, with some particular exceptions, the Southern Patagonian Icefield presents ablation stages at least once a year.