Rivera, A. and G. Casassa (2004) : “Ice elevation, areal, and frontal changes of glaciers from National Park Torres del Paine, Southern Patagonia Icefiled” Artic, Antarctic and Alpine Research, 36(4), 379 – 389.

Resumen / Abstract.

Ice elevation changes since 1975 and ice areal changes since 1945 of glaciers in the southeastern part of the Southern Patagonia Icefield (SPI) are presented. Comparison of digital elevation models, GPS, and optical survey data revealed high thinning rates for all the ablation areas of the glaciers, with average values between 1.4 and 3.4 m a^-1 and maximum ice thinning of 7.6 m a^-1. Ice elevation changes for the glacier accumulation areas were smaller than the estimated errors, and no significant trends could be detected. All the glaciers are retreating and shrinking considerably, with a total areal loss of 62.2 km², which represents 8% of the total ice area of 1945. This trend is in agreement with other similar measurements carried out during recent decades for several glaciers of the SPI. 

(descarga)