aniya_2001.html
Bulletin of Glaciological Research 18 (2001) 55-63
©Japanese Society of Snow and Ice
Glacier variations of Hielo Patagónico Norte, Chilean Patagonia, since 1944/45, with special reference to variations between 1995/96 and 1999/2000
Masamu ANIYA
Institute of Geoscience, University of Tsukuba,
Ibaraki 305-8571 Japan
Abstract
Comparison of hand-held oblique photographs taken in the austral summers of 1998 and 1999 over 21 outlet glaciers of Hielo Patagónico Norte (Northern Patagonia Icefield) with those taken in the austral summer of 1995 revealed variations of these glaciers for a period between 1995/96 and 1999/2000. The characteristics and trend of these variations were discussed in the context of variations since 1944/45. Glaciar San Rafael made a strong advance during the period of 1996-99, gaining an area of 0.86 km2; however, it lost as much due to retreat during the subsequent period of 1999-2000. The average retreat rate per one glacier during the period of 1996-99 was slow (0.037 km2 y-1), whereas it was very fast during the period of 1999-2000 (0.221 km2 y-1). Glaciar San Quintin lost an area of 7.55 km2 between 1996 and 2000, which is by far the largest in any period since 1945. The glacier appears to have started a large scale snout disintegration. The recent global warming appears to have begun taking the real effect on those glaciers in Patagonia. The general slow retreat during the period of 1996-99 may be attributed to the precipitation increase observed in the 1970s. The strong advance and subsequent retreat of Glaciar San Rafael is interpreted to be controlled by fjord topography as well as climatic influence.
