Determination of Glacier Surface and Volume Variation in the Alta De Olivares and Aconcagua Basins (Chile), 2000–2019

In the current context of climate change in which the world finds itself, glaciers are a sensitive element that unequivocally reflect its impact. Therefore, volume and extend variations of five glaciers in the central Andes, located in the northern limit of the Metropolitan region, were studied. This was carried out considering the use of remote sensing together with the application of ice and snow coverage mapping techniques based on a set of satellite images and digital elevation models from the ASTER and Landsat. Our results indicate retreat in glacier extend and volume during the study period, reached up to approximately 60% as a direct effect of low rainfall during the study period. For those glaciers located totally or partially below the zero degree isotherm, temperature also contributes significantly to melting. In this way, the close relationship that exists between glaciers and variations in climate (temperature and precipitation), was demonstrated.