Evidence of el niño-southem oscillation influence over the tropical glaciers in the santa river basin during the period 2001–2016

The Tropical Glaciers located in the Santa River Basin are reserves of fresh water, source of energy for hydroelectric plants and one of the main indicators of climate change. Their variation in glacial Snow Cover (SC) is related to hydrological cycle and mass balance that are affected by events of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The extreme events of ENSO also have consequences such as flood and drought with human and economic loss. Moreover the increase in global temperature during 2015 is also attributed to El Niño. The objective of this paper is to analyze SC in the Santa River Basin and determine its relationship with ENSO. The Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) and FSC data that belong to Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor from satellite TERRA are used. The data is processed and analyzed using filters and Wavelet Analysis. The results of SC anomaly show a period of around 3.17 years. This is a new evidence of ENSO influence over the glaciers in Santa River Basin. This study provides information that can be useful for mitigating the effects of climate change that is intensified by El Niño phenomenon.